Why Finishing and Material Selection Still Separate Good Dentistry from Great Dentistry
Look, I’ll be honest. You can have the latest equipment, the trendiest materials, and the fastest workflows, but none of that matters if you don’t nail down the basics—material selection and finishing. I learned that the hard way. I’ve had my fair share of late nights chasing down post-op sensitivity or dealing with a restoration that just wouldn’t hold up. And every time, it always came back to a simple, unglamorous truth: finishing and material choice matter more than you think. This isn’t about fancy science or cutting-edge technology; it’s about doing things the right way—every time. That’s why materials like SHOFU’s Beautifil Bulk Composite or Hy Bond Glasionomer CX Smart are my go-tos—they perform consistently, under pressure, when you need them the most. The Finish Usually Tells the Truth: Here’s a little secret: the polish retention is often the silent assassin of a restoration’s lifespan. Sure, we love talking about the bulk-fill composites and their “time-saving” prom...