Refresher Course

There are some things that we tend overlook as we are always busy seeing our patients. Especially, given the number of choices of materials to choose from these days. Going for a quick refresher/update course is definitely a good idea.

Just a quick summary for my friends who missed it today.
Please email me for a more complete notes if you want.

Indications of choice of crown materials

PFM (Nobel Metal only)	Crowns, FPDs, Bruxers, Extensive loss of tooth structure.
IPS- EMAX	Single unit Anterior teeth in patients with high aesthetic expectations
LAVA (Alumina/ Zircornia core)	Single unit Incisor to Bicuspids. Molars for patients with high esthetic expectations

Choice of Luting Agents with different types of prosthesis

Type of Prosthesis	Choice of Luting Agents
Metal Restorations and high Strength Ceramic Restorations	Zinc phosphate RM GIC (Rely-X Luting)
Porcelain Veneers	Light Cure only resin cement (Rely-X Veneer)
Maryland Bridges	Chemical Cure only resin cement (Panavia)
Porcelain crowns that can be etched (eg IPS-EMAX)	Dual Cure Resin Cement (Rely-X Unicem)
Metal Posts	Zinc Phosphate Panavia Rely-X Unicem
Carbon Fiber Post	Panavia Rely-X Unicem

*GI/ RMGI Cements should NOT be used for cementing dowels in endodontically treated teeth due to slow setting reaction and risks of expansion causing root fractures.

The above indications are the opinions of the lecturer.

But he has probably convinced me to convert some of my clinical decisions.

Welcome to 2010

Spent the last day of 2009 with a nice homecook meal with Lulin at home. Went down to DS place for a small gathering and countdown together with the class. And once again Texas Holdem.
Time to pen down my list of new year resolutions.

1. Europe tour
2. Exercise more, eat healthier
3. Strengthen relationships
4. Career Stuffs

Sounds like a really vague list.. But i guess no point in trying to fix how to live a new year. Rather, I should just live it. At least some things are within control like buying an air ticket and fly to Europe sometime this year.

Merry Xmas

Merry Xmas to Everyone.

Took this photo on Xmas Eve at Orchard. Guess who is this fantastic street dancer.

Been having quite a bit of fun with my new toy. I'm still quite a noob when it comes to photography.

But its really handy during this festive season.

Class Xmas Party this year is once again at Kenneth place. Really got to thank Kenneth for being such a great host. Lets hope that we can keep this yearly party gg on. Just wondering who will be the 1st to start bringing their kids to the party. Haha.

Anyways 2009 has been quite a smooth sailing year for me. No complains for that. Feels that 2009 is simply a period of preparation for me for the upcoming events. Kind of like building a foundation. Might feel that it has gone by without much significant. But when i think about it. I feel that stronger relationships has been build upon throughout this year. Be it Love, Family or Friendship. I guess these are the things that are dear to me. Career has been pretty good. Refining my skills, making career changing (perhaps life-changing) decisions. I must say now I'm no longer lost in transition.

Dinner Conversations

Just came back from dinner with my college friends. Funny how we ended up in totally different line of work.
Something came up during dinner conversation that strucks me. Wenyi kind of mentioned that drs (that include dentists i guess) somehow will always talk about money.

Shouldn't healthcare be a self-sacrificing job? You do it for the passion, for the compassion you have for the sick and needy. But somehow things ain't gg that way. I am guilty of that as well. The desire for success, money and materialistic gains sometimes do get the better of me. But I guess that's what everybody work hard for. The very reason you get out of ur bed every morning to work is because you know that everyday u work hard is a day closer to achieving your aims (whatever that aim might be).

I guess I am kind of lucky in a way. I do have passion for my work. I dun go to work because I have to (most of the times), rather I do enjoy the craft of dentistry, the close relationship with patients. True that work can be really mundane and repetitive at times. But I just need a good case to shake me back to life. I guess I have no complaints. True that dentistry will not make me the next Bill Gates, but I guess I am probably contented with just being able to fulfil my "Singaporean Dream".

27 Years

Okay yet another birthday.
Everytime when I celebrate yet another birthday. I always have this mixed feeling.
On one hand I am happy for everything that I have. More often than not I feel that I'm quite a blessed person.

Yet on the other hand, when i desperately try to list my achievements from my years of being. I realised I can hardly name one. Anyways enough of negative thoughts. At least things are slowly falling into place. I just have to fit the pieces together. One step at a time, I'm so sure I'm going to make it right. Yet again only time will tell.

Fishing is a Cruel Sport

As much as i would like to highlight that I still think fishing is a cruel sport. I got to say i did had some fun today doing some prawn fishing.

Went to this place called the Bottle Tree Park with Lulin after work today. (For pictures of that place please refer to Bran's Blog). That's the problem with working in SAF, No camera and no camera phones.

Anyways with 2.5hr and a single rod. 15 prawns ended up in the net. Most of the catches are of course contributed by Lulin think i got only 3 or 4 catch. Perhaps I'm simply too impatient. Hence, I rely more on luck than skills.

Anyways, while we were at it. I was just thinking what are we supposed to do with the prawns. Then I realised most ppl will just cook it on the spot. BBQ it while its still alive. Just seems a bit weird to kill ur catch like that. I'm more used to cooking things that are already dead like those i buy from supermarket. Just seems a bit cruel.

Nevertheless, in the end we just cooked 1 giant prawn (MY CATCH) Seeing it turn from grey to orange, from violent struggle to motionless death. Tasted quite good though. Guess thats how fresh prawn is supposed to be like.

You must be wondering what's gonna happen to the other 14 prawns. Nope I did not set them free, although I am supposed to be a Buddhist. Realised that they will just be caught again if i put them back into the pond. So right now they are frozen in my freezer. Maybe tmr I'll cook them just like the normal prawns I buy back from supermarket.

Living as if I am going to live forever

Sometimes i wonder what am i doing my life.
Living as if I am going to live forever.
I have dreams. I have aims. I have plans. Everyday I am taking a small step towards them.
Yet I feel sorry for myself for not living for the moment.
Delayed gratification is my way of living. But I guess i will regret if i die and never lived the life i wanted.