Constant Evolution

As I look back on my 25-year career in dentistry, I've seen numerous changes in our profession.  Some of these changes were good and, of course, some were not. There were also many attempts at change that never quite came to fruition. Dentistry is just that-a constantly evolving profession. For those of us who have been around long enough, I think that we would all agree that technology has been the factor that has inspired our profession the most and sparked the greatest amount of change. Although technology may be the impetus, it is often overlooked how materials must also evolve to keep up with the technological advancements.

Bearing this in mind, I can say that materials have advanced to a level that I certainly didn't see coming 25 years ago. Every time we turn around, there's something claiming to be "newer and better" that has been put on the market. Keeping up with material advancements in dentistry can quickly become a full-time job outside of clinical practice. From cements and adhesives to composites, 3D printable resins, lab-fabricated or CAD/CAM materials, and more, we must all strive to stay abreast of the developments, or the profession will leave us behind. Understanding the intentions of new materials is one thing but mastering the science and art of their correct clinical usage is another.

It is a privilege to be the guest editor of Inside Dentistry's 2024 special issue on materials. In this issue, some of the best practitioners in the world share their expertise and their takes on materials and usage. These individuals are leaders in various areas of dentistry and know the materials inside and out. They will all leave their mark on our profession in one way or another, and I hope that their insights will improve your practice.

Finally, I would like to dedicate this issue to a pioneer in dental materials, John O. Burgess, DDS, MS, who recently passed away in May of this year. I credit a lot of my knowledge and interest in dental materials to the research of Burgess and his team. Whether we knew him or not, it was his research that paved the way for many materials to be tested and brought to market. Dentistry has truly lost one of its best.

Chad C. Duplantis, DDS
Guest Editor
Inside Dentistry
Fellow
Academy of General Dentistry
Private Practice
Fort Worth, Texas

Robert C. Margeas, DDS
Editor-in-Chief, Inside Dentistry
Private Practice
Des Moines, Iowa
Adjunct Professor
Department of Operative Dentistry
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
robert.margeas@broadcastmed.com