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Halitosis is a widespread problem but it continues to be a taboo subject. For affected patients, the dentist is often their first contact. Finding and quantifying halitosis initially serves to objectify it and look for the cause but also enables treatment to be monitored. The cause of halitosis is usually intraoral so that instituting appropriate treatment measures is the dentist's responsibility. Besides the simple organoleptic measurement of halitosis, which can be performed without any equipment, various devices are available on the market that allow sophisticated analysis of expired air by measuring and quantifying volatile sulphur compounds.

The AquaSplint concept does enable us to provide an exact and simple diagnosis, this significantly affects therapy decisions and treatment planning at a reasonable time and expense. The AquaSplint is a self-adjusting, customisable, pre-fabricated TMD splint which can be inserted immediately without preparations, impressions, or registrations. The two connected water pads can be relined with a long-term silicone material. Such individualization enables immediate optimum stability and comfort and proide an effective reposition and relieve to the TMJ (hydrostatic aquabalance).

Modern composites and adhesive systems are of decisive importance for longterm tooth conservation in the postendodontic treatment of severely damaged teeth. The Rebilda Post System from VOCO is a sophisticated, optimally coordinated and complete set with materials which satisfy in all respects the high requirements for a stress-free, coronal build-up with a root post.

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Ceramic restorations dictate a major part of our daily laboratory work. To achieve results that imitate the model of a "natural tooth" as closely as possible, the skills of the dental technician, first-rate ceramic materials and - often underestimated - an optimum ceramic furnace are required. The author has worked with the Programat P310 (Ivoclar Vivadent) for a few months now and has come to appreciate its easy operation as well as the good firing results.

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The author presents the so-called inverse layering technique for composite restorations, which he helped to develop. In this technique, the restoration is not constructed in the usual direct additive technique but exactly the other way round on the basis of a precise wax-up, that is, inversely. This layering technique is explained in detail step-by-step.

Bleaching of slightly discoloured teeth using a customised tooth tray (internal bleaching), which is worn at nights, has become very popular in recent years. Commercially available bleaching products are generally available as a gel and can be applied in the dental practice (in-office bleaching) or by the patient at home using customised trays (home bleaching). Treatment using customised tooth trays after professional tooth cleaning is effective in patients with diffuse discoloration. Nice teeth impart a feeling of confidence and attractiveness with the majority of people, so that there is considerable social pressure to whiten discoloured teeth cosmetically. An attractive tooth shade can also be achieved by bleaching yet without reducing the enamel structure. Affected patients are pleased to take advantage of this option.

Instrumentation of the root canal received a fundamental new impetus in the 1990s with the introduction of nickel-titanium (NiTi). Tedious and time-consuming manual preparation was revolutionised by mechanical instrument systems and has experienced more and more innovations in the last two decades. While the preparation quality and working safety of classic NiTi systems was already able to meet high demands, systems still had a potential for development with regard to instrumentation duration and cost effectiveness. This article presents a brief overview of classic NiTi systems and also illustrates recent trends that enable a reduction in the number of instruments through newly developed approaches.

The main objective of endodontic treatment is the prevention of infection of the endodontium and the elimination of already existing infection. Witzel established as early as 1879 that the reason for a failed endodontic procedure is mainly the presence of bacteria. The foundation of endodontics has therefore always been to ensure that the canal system is free from bacteria. The modern cornerstones of endodontics are based on this foundation: an optimal view of the inner aspects of the tooth by magnification and light, preparation using nickel-titanium instruments, disinfection using efficient activation techniques and as dense filling as possible of all cavities of the canal system as well as adhesive coronal sealing.

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