The lighter side of "bread-and-butter dentistry".

ith all of the excitement in the media concerning cosmetic dental makeovers and “spa dentistry,” it’s possible sometimes for dentists to lose our focus. The root of dentistry is still restorative treatment in the posterior regions to eliminate caries, repair fractures, and replace restorations whose warranties have long expired. This, after all, is the “bread and butter” of dentistry. There will always be a place for cosmetic dentistry. We will continue in our efforts to make the patient as comfortable as possible. However, the foundation of dentistry should always be based on providing optimal, comprehensive dental care for patients using the best materials and techniques available. All treatment planning should begin with an assessment of periodontal health, elimination of caries, replacement of broken amalgam fillings, and a personal evaluation of old and unaesthetic PFM crowns. Quality posterior restorative dentistry is difficult. However, it is more objective and can therefore be less frustrating than the subjectivity involved with