Dental Digest Podcast with Dr. Melissa Seibert

Dental Digest Institute & Dr. Melissa Seibert: Dentist

The Dental Digest podcast is a show dedicated to discussing the latest trends, topics, and innovations in the field of dentistry. The podcast was created and is hosted by Dr. Melissa Seibert, a practicing dentist, and features interviews with leading experts in the field of dentistry, including dentists, researchers, educators, and industry professionals. Topics covered on the show range from clinical techniques and technology to practice management and marketing strategies, with a focus on providing actionable insights and practical advice for dental professionals at all stages of their careers. The Dental Digest podcast is available on all major podcast platforms and is a valuable resource for dental professionals looking to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in the field of dentistry.

  1. 1d ago

    Veneer Planning with Dr. Gerald Chiche

    Join Elevated GP: www.theelevatedgp.com Register for the live meeting: https://www.theelevatedgp.com/ElevationSummit Download the Injection Molding Guide: https://www.theelevatedgp.com/IMpdf    What separates good veneer dentistry from truly exceptional aesthetic dentistry? In Part 2 of this in-depth conversation on Digital Dentist Digest, Dr. Melissa Seibert sits down with legendary prosthodontist and aesthetic dentistry educator Dr. Gerald Chiche to explore the clinical nuances, preparation strategies, and decision-making principles behind predictable porcelain veneer treatment.   Dr. Chiche, former president of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry and internationally recognized leader in aesthetic dentistry, shares decades of experience performing veneers with a strong emphasis on minimally invasive preparation design, enamel preservation, and long-term restorative success.    In this episode, Dr. Chiche walks through his additive veneer preparation workflow, including mock-up transfers, bisacryl matrices, depth-cut strategies, and techniques for staying predictably in enamel to maximize bond durability. He explains why preserving enamel remains one of the most important principles in adhesive dentistry and how thoughtful preparation design directly impacts the longevity of porcelain veneers.   The conversation also covers gingival management, cord packing techniques, impression accuracy, proximal preparation design, and margin placement in aesthetic cases. Dr. Chiche shares practical clinical pearls for managing difficult scenarios such as tetracycline staining, dark preparations, black triangles, and patients requesting highly translucent veneers despite significant discoloration challenges.   Beyond technique, this episode focuses heavily on clinical judgment and patient communication. Dr. Chiche discusses how to determine when veneers are the right treatment, when direct bonding may be a better option, and how informed consent and expectation management are essential in elective cosmetic dentistry. He also explains why collaboration with skilled ceramists and careful mock-up evaluation remain foundational to achieving natural, long-lasting aesthetic results.   This episode is ideal for general dentists, cosmetic dentists, prosthodontists, and clinicians interested in porcelain veneers, smile design, adhesive dentistry, and minimally invasive aesthetic treatment planning. Whether you are refining your veneer workflow or looking to strengthen your understanding of aesthetic case selection, this conversation offers practical insights grounded in decades of clinical excellence and evidence-based dentistry.

    34 min
  2. May 18

    Composite VS. Ceramic in Wear Cases with Dr. Didier Dietschi

    Join Elevated GP: www.theelevatedgp.com Register for the live meeting: https://www.theelevatedgp.com/ElevationSummit Download the Injection Molding Guide: https://www.theelevatedgp.com/IMpdf    What does truly conservative, evidence-based dentistry look like when treating tooth wear patients? In Part 2 of this conversation on Digital Dentist Digest, Dr. Melissa Seibert continues her discussion with internationally respected adhesive dentistry expert Dr. Didier Dietschi, diving deeper into the clinical execution, biomechanics, and decision-making behind minimally invasive restorative dentistry.   Dr. Dietschi, senior lecturer at the University of Geneva and internationally recognized authority in adhesive and aesthetic dentistry, explains how dentists can move beyond "copy-and-paste" full mouth rehabilitation and instead develop individualized treatment plans based on patient age, risk factors, compliance, biomechanics, and long-term prognosis.    In this episode, Dr. Dietschi discusses how to evaluate tooth wear severity, determine when restorative intervention is actually necessary, and decide between composite, ceramic, or hybrid treatment approaches. He shares his philosophy on preserving tooth structure, avoiding unnecessary invasiveness, and understanding the biological cost of aggressive dentistry—especially in younger patients with bruxism, clenching, erosion, and parafunctional habits.   The conversation also explores the real-world challenges dentists face when managing wear patients, including nightguard compliance, restorative maintenance, patient communication, and the emotional burden clinicians often feel when restorations chip or fail. Dr. Dietschi offers a refreshingly honest perspective on responsibility, patient behavior, and why long-term success in restorative dentistry depends on far more than simply choosing a stronger material.   Listeners will also gain valuable insight into adhesive dentistry, vertical dimension management, composite layering and molding techniques, occlusal risk assessment, and the importance of tailoring restorative materials to specific clinical situations rather than relying on a one-material-fits-all philosophy.   This episode is ideal for general dentists, restorative dentists, and clinicians who want to think more critically about comprehensive treatment planning, minimally invasive dentistry, and long-term patient care. If you are interested in biomaterials, tooth wear management, occlusion, and evidence-based restorative dentistry, this conversation provides both practical clinical guidance and a broader philosophical framework for modern practice.

    35 min
  3. May 11

    Minimally Invasive Tooth Wear Management with Dr. Didier Dietschi

    Join Elevated GP: www.theelevatedgp.com Register for the live meeting: https://www.theelevatedgp.com/ElevationSummit Download the Injection Molding Guide: https://www.theelevatedgp.com/IMpdf    What if the future of treating tooth wear is not full-mouth ceramic rehabilitation? In this episode of Digital Dentist Digest, Dr. Melissa Seibert sits down with internationally recognized researcher and clinician Dr. Didier Dietschi for a thought-provoking conversation about minimally invasive dentistry, adhesive restorations, and the long-term management of tooth wear patients.   Dr. Dietschi, senior lecturer at the University of Geneva and a globally respected authority in adhesive and aesthetic dentistry, challenges the increasingly common "28-ceramic restoration" philosophy that has become prevalent in modern restorative dentistry. Instead, he advocates for a more individualized, interceptive, and biologically conservative approach to treatment planning.    Throughout the episode, Dr. Dietschi explains why dentists must focus on identifying the underlying etiology of tooth wear—including attrition, erosion, bruxism, clenching, occlusal anatomy, and parafunctional habits—before jumping to irreversible treatment. He discusses the long-term risks associated with aggressive full-mouth rehabilitation, particularly in younger patients, and why delaying invasive treatment is often the most ethical and predictable strategy.   The conversation also explores the advantages and limitations of composite restorations versus ceramics, how risk factors like heavy bruxism and poor compliance impact restorative longevity, and why prevention and patient education remain central to successful outcomes. Dr. Dietschi shares his clinical workflow for evaluating wear patterns, assessing biomechanical risk, implementing interceptive protocols, and improving patient compliance with nightguards and long-term maintenance.   This episode is packed with practical insight for general dentists, restorative dentists, and clinicians who want to improve treatment planning, preserve tooth structure, and think more critically about comprehensive rehabilitation cases. Whether you regularly manage wear patients or are trying to become more conservative and evidence-based in your restorative philosophy, this conversation offers a refreshing and clinically grounded perspective on modern dentistry.

    34 min
  4. May 4

    How Autoimmune Disease Shows Up in the Dental Chair with Dr. Natalia Trehan

    Join Elevated GP: www.theelevatedgp.com Register for the live meeting: https://www.theelevatedgp.com/ElevationSummit Download the Injection Molding Guide: https://www.theelevatedgp.com/IMpdf    What happens when a patient's oral symptoms are actually the first warning signs of a much larger systemic health issue? In this episode of Digital Dentist Digest, Dr. Melissa Seibert welcomes Dr. Natalia Trahan, Assistant Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, for a deep and clinically relevant conversation on the relationship between systemic disease and oral health.   Dr. Trahan specializes in oral medicine, pathology, and radiology, with a strong focus on the intersection of oral and systemic disease. Together, they discuss how conditions like Sjögren's Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome can present first in the dental office—often before a formal medical diagnosis is made.   This episode explores practical diagnostic strategies for identifying oral manifestations of autoimmune disease, including xerostomia, hyposalivation, chronic parotitis, recurrent candidiasis, increased caries risk, TMJ degeneration, trismus, hypermobility disorders, and inflammatory arthritis involving the temporomandibular joint. Dr. Trahan explains how she evaluates these patients clinically, what radiographic findings matter most, and when advanced imaging like MRI becomes essential for proper diagnosis and treatment planning.   The conversation also addresses the emotional and clinical complexity of treating patients with chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia and connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Dr. Trahan shares how empathy, patient advocacy, and a deeper understanding of autoimmune and rheumatic disease can transform the way dentists approach patient care and prevent provider burnout.   For general dentists, restorative dentists, and clinicians interested in oral medicine, this episode offers actionable insight into how better understanding systemic disease leads to better dentistry. If you want to improve diagnosis, strengthen interdisciplinary care, and become a more comprehensive provider, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

    39 min
  5. Apr 27

    Connecting Oral Medicine and Systemic Disease with Dr. Natalia Trehan

    Join Elevated GP: www.theelevatedgp.com Register for the live meeting: https://www.theelevatedgp.com/ElevationSummit Download the Injection Molding Guide: https://www.theelevatedgp.com/IMpdf    How often do systemic diseases first reveal themselves in the dental chair? In this episode of Digital Dentist Digest, Dr. Melissa Seibert sits down with Dr. Natalia Trahan, Assistant Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, to explore the critical connection between systemic health and oral health.   Dr. Trahan shares her expertise in oral medicine, pathology, and radiology, with a special focus on how conditions like Sjögren's Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, and autoimmune disorders present with oral symptoms that dentists often encounter first.   The conversation dives into xerostomia, hyposalivation, parotitis, TMJ involvement, chronic pain conditions, inflammatory arthritis, and the importance of recognizing when oral symptoms are actually signs of larger systemic health concerns. Dr. Trahan also explains how dentists can improve diagnosis and treatment planning by looking beyond the oral cavity and considering the full patient picture.   This episode is especially valuable for dentists who want to strengthen their diagnostic skills, improve patient communication, and deliver more compassionate, comprehensive care for medically complex patients. From interpreting panoramic radiographs and MRI findings to understanding autoimmune disease progression and the role of empathy in patient care, this episode offers practical clinical insight every GP can apply immediately.   If you're looking to stay on the cutting edge of evidence-based dentistry, oral-systemic health, and comprehensive patient care, this episode is a must-listen.

    33 min
  6. Apr 20

    Rethinking Full-Arch Implant Therapy with Dr. Kim Schlam

    Join Elevated GP: www.theelevatedgp.com Download my free Injection Molding PDF Guide Follow @dental_digest_podcast Instagram Follow @dr.melissa_seibert on Instagram In this in-depth conversation, Dr. Melissa Seibert is joined by prosthodontist and Spear Education faculty member Dr. Kim Schlam to take a critical look at one of the most talked-about trends in dentistry: full-arch implant reconstructions and hybrid prostheses. Together, they explore the promises and pitfalls of these complex treatments, challenging the idea that hybrids should be considered a one-size-fits-all solution. Dr. Schlam shares candid insights from years of managing both the successes and failures of full-arch implant therapy. She reminds us of the original purpose of dental implants—addressing the devastating effects of mandibular edentulism—and contrasts that with today's market-driven push for hybrids as a default treatment. Their discussion highlights the importance of careful case selection, interdisciplinary planning, and viewing each patient as a human being rather than a set of "arches." Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how digital workflows can support precision and predictability, but also why long-term maintenance protocols, prosthetic follow-up, and patient education are critical for lasting outcomes. From the ethical implications of overtreatment to the biomechanical realities that distinguish implants from natural teeth, Dr. Schlam advocates for a philosophy of dentistry that prioritizes rehabilitation, not just replacement. This episode is a must-listen for dentists who want to think critically about full-arch implant solutions, expand their understanding of restorative decision-making, and elevate their approach to truly patient-centered care

    26 min
4.9
out of 5
276 Ratings

About

The Dental Digest podcast is a show dedicated to discussing the latest trends, topics, and innovations in the field of dentistry. The podcast was created and is hosted by Dr. Melissa Seibert, a practicing dentist, and features interviews with leading experts in the field of dentistry, including dentists, researchers, educators, and industry professionals. Topics covered on the show range from clinical techniques and technology to practice management and marketing strategies, with a focus on providing actionable insights and practical advice for dental professionals at all stages of their careers. The Dental Digest podcast is available on all major podcast platforms and is a valuable resource for dental professionals looking to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in the field of dentistry.

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