eRadio SA

What does it truly mean to be wealthy? Is it about how much money you earn, the assets you own, or the freedom to live life on your own terms?In this episode of Your Money Maument on eRadio SA, financial expert Mauritz Oberholzer explores the true meaning of wealth, looking beyond money and material possessions to what really matters when it comes to financial security, independence, and peace of mind.Discover why real wealth may be about much more than the size of your bank account.Your Money Maument is aired on eRadio SA every Thursday and available as a podcast afterwards.

When it comes to litigation and arbitration, being in the right isn't always enough to win your case.In this episode of eRadio Legal Talk, Eon Engelbrecht speaks to Jaco Hamman from Hahn & Hahn Attorneys about why meeting legal deadlines and having the right documentary evidence can make or break a case.From missed court deadlines to the importance of contracts, emails, WhatsApp messages and proof of payment, Jaco explains the common mistakes people make when defending legal claims and what to do when served with a summons or arbitration notice.The key takeaway: Deadlines and documents win cases. Good intentions don't.Whether you're a business owner or an individual facing a legal dispute, this is an important conversation you won't want to miss.Legal Talk is aired every Wednesday morning at 10:00 on eRadio SA and available as a podcast thereafter.

Welcome back to Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth. In the previous episode, Eon Engelbrecht and Dr Clifford Yudelman looked at laser dentistry and whether a laser can really replace the drill. This episode steps back from the tools altogether and asks a bigger question: why do teeth fail in the first place? It looks at functional dentistry, an approach that asks why damage keeps happening before deciding how to fix it.They cover what functional dentistry is and how it differs from holistic and biological dentistry, why dentists now look at sleep, breathing, reflux and diet as root causes, and when a dentist should work with a patient's doctor. They also discuss whether bite adjustments can really fix neck and posture problems, how a dentist can spot diabetes warning signs early, what inflammatory load from the mouth means, whether functional dentistry costs more, how stress damages teeth, the warning signs that should make a patient ask why something keeps happening, and how OptiSmile builds functional thinking into everyday care.10 Questions and Summary Answers[1:15] What is functional dentistry, and how is it different from holistic or biological dentistry? Dr Yudelman explains that functional dentistry is not a belief system and not an alternative dentistry, and should not be confused with evidence-based biomimetic dentistry. He says it is about thinking before acting: before fixing the damage, you ask why it happened. Biological dentistry focuses on materials, whereas functional dentistry focuses on the forces driving the disease. It is not anti-drilling or anti-crowns, and it is not softer dentistry but smarter dentistry. He raises it now because it is appearing a great deal on social media.[2:44] Why are dentists now looking at nutrition, sleep and breathing as root causes of dental problems? Dr Yudelman says teeth live in a body, not in a vacuum, and this thinking is becoming more mainstream. Mouth breathing dries out saliva, which is the teeth's natural defence, so he asks what is causing it, such as allergies, a deviated septum or a blocked nose. Silent reflux brings stomach acid into the mouth at night and erodes the inside surfaces of the upper teeth, almost like bulimia, which may call for a referral for a gastroscopy. He also sees snoring and sleep apnoea linked to night-time grinding, and mentions a patient who was not overweight and had a narrow neck, yet had worn teeth and admitted she snored. She is now having a sleep study. He stresses that a beautifully rebuilt mouth will fail again if reflux or grinding goes untreated.[5:38] Should your dentist be talking to your doctor, your cardiologist or even your dietitian? Dr Yudelman says yes, one hundred per cent in complex cases, though not necessarily for everyday dentistry where a medical history and medication review is enough. Gum disease and diabetes affect each other in both directions, so gum disease makes blood sugar harder to control and diabetes makes gum disease harder to control. Gum disease is also linked with heart disease, although he says we cannot be sure that treating the gums prevents heart attacks. When a patient keeps losing bone despite good flossing, hygiene and regular visits, he has often referred them for an HbA1c test, which shows blood sugar over the previous three months. Over the years he has helped some patients get diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and he says dentists who ignore the full picture are stuck in one groove.[6:59] Can your bite actually cause headaches and jaw pain, and what about the claims that fixing your bite cures neck and posture problems? Dr Yudelman says clenching and grinding are linked with jaw pain and headaches, and they wear down and crack the back teeth and fillings. Protecting the teeth with a well-made bite guard or Michigan splint makes sense. The bigger claims that adjusting your bite fixes your posture, back or neck are not really supported by research. He describes dentists who sell expensive bite reconstructions or full mouth rehabilitations, telling patients with neck problems that fixing the bite will fix the neck. When he looked for good evidence while preparing for the episode, he could not find any. Good functional dentistry removes unnecessary strain but does not promise miracles.[8:27] Is it possible for a dentist to spot diabetes or other health problems before a doctor actually does? Dr Yudelman says dentists do not diagnose diabetes but often see the warning signs first. These include gums that bleed despite good care, slow healing after an extraction or other procedure, repeated infections and a dry mouth. In those cases he would rather ask the patient to have their GP or doctor send them for a blood test, just to be safe. He mentions a large Cochrane review, and explains that Cochrane reviews hundreds of studies and discards the weaker ones. It found that treating gum disease in people with diabetes can measurably improve their long-term blood sugar control. In his words, the teeth and gums whisper something the body has not yet shouted.[9:38] What is the inflammatory load from the mouth, and how do you measure it? Dr Yudelman describes it as a chronic low-grade fire, like a bushfire. Gum disease across the whole mouth amounts to a large inflamed wound, possibly the size of a hand or even an A4 sheet of paper, and the body notices it. The simplest measure is bleeding when the gums are gently probed, because healthy gums do not bleed. He also looks at pocket depths and at bone levels on X-ray. After cleanings, root planing, or special toothpastes and mouthwashes, a patient who does not respond as expected has a much higher inflammatory load. He adds that healthy, firm, pink gums are part of general health and not just cosmetic.[11:10] Does functional dentistry cost more than traditional drill and fill? Dr Yudelman says it could, depending on the practice, although he believes many good dentists already practise some level of functional dentistry. At OptiSmile a new patient exam is booked for 90 minutes, and more than half an hour of that can be spent on the medical history and discussion before any examination starts. That extra time can cost more. He argues that paying once for a thorough smile and oral health assessment is better than paying repeatedly for teeth that chip or fillings that fall out. He says the most expensive dentistry is dentistry done twice, and also the dentistry you did not need. The second most expensive is having fillings done without a proper diagnosis.[12:34] How does stress damage teeth, and where does managing it fit into a dental plan? Dr Yudelman points back to an earlier episode on how stress shows up in the mouth. Stressed people clench and grind in the day and at night, snack more, eat lollies and candy, sometimes skip brushing when they are in a hurry, and see their gums flare up. A stressed patient can destroy excellent dentistry without knowing it. Often the most useful step is a hard night guard made to stop grinding in sleep, which is different from a rubber sports mouth guard. He says the approach is to point out the pattern rather than rush into more treatment.[13:36] What are the warning signs that should make a patient ask, why does this keep happening? Dr Yudelman lists several red flags: teeth or fillings that keep breaking, teeth that are getting shorter, flatter or more sensitive, gums that bleed even with good brushing and flossing, a constantly dry mouth, and snoring. If a husband or wife complains about your snoring, he says you should listen. He suggests the SnoreLab app, which records your snoring at night so you can listen back, and says you would be quite worried. Eon adds that hearing it is frightening and you feel sorry for your partner. A partner may also complain of a creaking or squeaking sound like a cricket, which is teeth grinding together. Instead of asking what to fix, he says patients should ask what is causing it.[14:44] How does OptiSmile put functional thinking into everyday care? Dr Yudelman explains that new patients get a 90-minute exam in which the team asks about sleep, snoring, reflux, medication and stress. They take photos, 3D scans, 2D X-rays and, when needed, a 3D X-ray, run the images through AI and then sit down with the patient to co-discover and co-diagnose. If a sleep study shows mild or moderate sleep apnoea, they make a sleep appliance, and if it is mainly grinding, they refer the patient to a physiotherapist and later make a Michigan or bite splint. They refer for blood tests when they suspect problems such as B12 deficiency or diabetes, and may offer a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist for severe stress, or send the patient back to their GP. Every decision goes through one question: how do we keep this tooth working as long as possible with the least harm?OutroEon's closing takeaway is that the most expensive dentistry is the same repair done again and again. Functional dentistry asks why before it asks how, and that question alone can save teeth and money for decades.Dr Yudelman closes by saying that keeping a tooth working as long as possible with the least harm is the essence of Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth. Next week: how to keep your teeth until you're 100.Further ResourcesCan a Laser Really Replace the Drill (Episode 132): https://optismile.co.za/blog/laser-dentistry-can-a-laser-really-replace-the-drill/What a Stressed Mouth Looks Like (Episode 126): https://optismile.co.za/blog/what-a-stressed-mouth-looks-like/What Do Gum Measurements Mean (Episode 121): https://optismile.co.za/blog/what-do-gum-measurements-mean/Dental Solutions for Snoring and Sleep Apnoea (Episode 39): https://optismile.co.za/blog/dental-solutions-for-snoring-and-sleep-apnea/OptiSmile Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Treatment: https://optismile.co.za/dental-problems/snoring-sleep-apnea/OptiSmile Dental Checkups: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/dental-checkup/SnoreLab: https://www.snorelab.comCochrane: https://www.cochrane.orgOptiSmile Podcast Series: https://optismile.co.za/podcasts/OptiSmile YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OptismileZa-dentist-cape-townContact OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/contact-dentist-cape-town/Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast, "Save Your Money Save Your Teeth" on Medical Mondays, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as dental or medical advice. The insights and opinions expressed by Dr. Clifford Yudelman and any guests are designed to foster a better understanding of dental health, preventive measures, and general well-being, but should not be interpreted as professional dental or medical recommendations. Dr. Clifford Yudelman does not diagnose, treat, or offer prevention strategies for any health conditions directly through this podcast. This platform is not a substitute for the personalized care and advice provided by a licensed dental or healthcare professional. We strongly encourage our listeners to consult with their own dental care providers to address individual dental health needs and concerns. The information shared here aims to empower listeners with knowledge about dental health but must not be used as a basis for making health-related decisions without professional guidance. Your dental care provider is the best source of advice about your dental and overall health. Please always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified health professionals regarding any questions or concerns about your dental health.

Getting your business online has never been easier or more affordable! In this edition of eRadio Business Focus, we chat with Tanya Kann from SiteHub about making professional websites accessible to businesses of all sizes.Discover what makes SiteHub different, what businesses can get for just R2,000, and how even those with no technical experience can establish an online presence.Tanya also explains SiteHub’s unique “Preview First. Pay When Happy.” approach, the different types of websites available, and how easy it is to get started.Whether you're launching a new business or looking to improve your online presence, this is a conversation you won't want to miss!🎧 Tune in to eRadio Business Focus and discover how SiteHub can help bring your business online.Contact DetailsWebsite: www.sitehub.co.zaEmail: [email protected]: 079 470 5614Want us to shine the spotlight on your business too? Email [email protected] 

Are you financially prepared for retirement, or could your savings run out sooner than you think?In this episode of Your Money Maument on eRadio SA, financial expert Mauritz Oberholzer explores what it really takes to retire comfortably. From calculating how much money you'll need to understanding the impact of inflation, rising living costs and longer life expectancy, Mauritz shares practical insights to help you assess your retirement readiness.Whether retirement is just around the corner or still years away, this episode will help you make more informed decisions about your financial future.Your Money Maument is aired on eRadio SA every Thursday and available as a podcast afterwards.

Moving money across borders isn't always straightforward, especially when dealing with exchange control regulations or blocked funds.In this episode of eRadio Business Focus, we speak to Andre Claassen from Offshore FX Global about the challenges South Africans face when transferring money internationally.We unpack exchange control regulations, the difference between discretionary allowances and transactions requiring South African Reserve Bank approval, and the process of accessing restricted funds.Andre also explains what clients can expect during their first consultation, how long applications typically take, the costs involved, and what to look for when choosing a foreign exchange service provider.Whether you're an individual or business dealing with international payments, this conversation offers valuable insights into navigating South Africa's foreign exchange regulations.Contact Andre ClaassenM: +27824581766E: [email protected]: www.offshorefx.co.zaOffshore FX Global (Pty) Ltd is a South African Reserve Bank approved financial services intermediary and a registered financial services provider with the Financial Services Conduct Authority of South Africa. FSP No: 51832

Welcome back to Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth. In the previous episode, Eon Engelbrecht and Dr Clifford Yudelman looked at bioactive fillings, the smart materials that help a tooth protect itself. This episode turns to the tool that does the cutting, and asks whether a laser can really replace the dental drill.They cover how hard tissue erbium lasers remove enamel and decay, why most practices that advertise laser dentistry only have soft tissue lasers, whether lasers really do away with the drill sound and the injection, how precise lasers are, and whether they can overheat a tooth. They also discuss what lasers cannot do, including removing old amalgam fillings, how well fillings bond to laser-prepared teeth, where lasers truly shine around gums, veneers and implants, why not every dentist owns one and whether laser fillings cost more, and the three questions patients should ask before choosing a laser dentist.10 Questions and Summary Answers[3:12] We know lasers can treat gums, but can they really cut tooth enamel without a drill? Dr Yudelman explains that hard tissue lasers, mainly the erbium family, fire short pulses of light that are absorbed by the water in the tooth. The water turns to steam and blows away tiny particles of tooth, like microscopic popcorn, with no spinning burr, no grinding pressure and very little vibration. Lasers are slower than the drill, but for a small cavity in a nervous patient, slower and calmer can be the right choice. They can cut enamel, and they are even better at removing decay.[4:45] If a practice advertises laser dentistry, does it mean they can do fillings with it as well? Usually not. Most dental lasers in practice are diode soft tissue lasers, which Dr Yudelman has used since 2004 and believes every good modern practice should have, but they cannot cut teeth. Erbium lasers that cut enamel and dentine are far more expensive; a Fotona he saw at the South African Dental Association conference costs around 1.8 million rand, and BIOLASE is the more widely used brand. He shares a story from Perth of a laser practice whose laser sat in the corner unused while its name kept the phone ringing.[8:00] Does a laser get rid of that high-pitched drill sound, and is it true that you sometimes don't need an injection? Instead of the drill's whine, a hard tissue laser makes a soft popping sound, which matters to people who have avoided the dentist because of the noise. A Cochrane review found that patients treated with lasers reported less pain and needed fewer injections, with decay removed just as well, but the evidence came from small, low-quality trials. Deeper decay still needs an injection, and anyone promising painless dentistry is selling. Dr Yudelman adds that if you hate the drill sound, you can simply ask whether the dentist uses quiet electric handpieces rather than air turbines.[9:42] Is a laser more precise than a drill? Does it actually save more healthy tooth? It can, because decayed tooth holds more water than healthy tooth, so the laser removes decay efficiently in small, careful steps. But it is not a magic decay detector. Dr Yudelman, who trained on an erbium laser in 2004, says he would still use a decay-detecting solution and a gentle spoon excavator to check whether the tooth is hard or soft. Precision dentistry is about knowing when to stop, whether you use a laser or a drill.[11:07] Does the laser actually heat up the tooth, and can that damage the nerve? Used properly, with water spray and very short pulses, the temperature stays in a safe range. Used badly, a laser can overheat a tooth, just like a drill run without enough water. Dr Yudelman recalls a dentist in London in the 1980s who prepared crowns with little or no water spray; her room smelled of burning hair, and most of the teeth she crowned lost their nerves. The lesson is the same for both tools: plenty of water.[12:39] What can't lasers do? Can they remove old metal fillings, for example? There is a lot lasers cannot do. They cannot remove old amalgam fillings, because that releases mercury vapour; safe removal needs a drill, high volume suction, an amalgam separator and lots of water. They are too slow for removing porcelain inlays or crowns or for shaping teeth, so patients expecting a drill-free visit may still end up with the drill. Where they excel is removing old ceramic veneers: Dr Yudelman recently referred a patient to a local BIOLASE dentist whose laser popped off six veneers, before she returned to OptiSmile for injection moulded composite bonding.[16:34] Do fillings stick as well to a tooth that's been prepared with a laser? Despite conference claims that lasers make etching unnecessary, Dr Yudelman says dentists must go back to the research. A laser leaves the tooth rough, but bonding results vary widely between lasers and adhesives, so a full bonding routine is still needed. At OptiSmile, an AquaCare unit, a small sandblaster shrouded in water, cleans and roughens enamel and dentine with very fine 29 micron aluminium oxide so the etch and bond work even better. The laser is just another tool.[18:33] Where would you say lasers really shine, around gums and implants? Lasers shine with gums and soft tissue, such as trimming excess gum back to the enamel to correct a gummy smile, which OptiSmile does with its diode laser. Erbium lasers like BIOLASE and Fotona can do more, including some crown lengthening procedures, tongue ties and lip ties, and cleaning inflamed tissue around implants with less bleeding, although OptiSmile's EMS machine with its special implant powder does a similar job. Lasers cannot drill bone for implants; that still needs guided surgery and a slow, water-cooled drill. Where a laser is clearly the best option, OptiSmile refers patients to a colleague who has one.[22:28] So why doesn't every dentist use one, and does a laser filling actually cost more? Hard tissue lasers cost millions of rand and need serious training; in South Africa, BIOLASE training is close to a year-long programme. They are slower for many procedures, which does not suit practices built on speed and volume. Fees are sometimes the same, but often extra codes are added because someone has to pay for the laser. Dr Yudelman has practised for 43 years without a hard tissue laser, though he would welcome one for anything that helps avoid crowns or root canals.[23:52] Is it the death of the dental drill, and what should patients ask? No, and it should not be; the drill is still an excellent tool, and lasers add choice without replacing judgement. Patients should ask what type of laser the dentist has, whether it suits their particular tooth, and, if they have a silver filling, whether the laser can actually remove it. Be wary of social media claims that you will not need an injection. The future is not drill-free but the right tool for the right tooth at the right time, and Dr Yudelman believes the next leap will be robotic drills, not robotic lasers.OutroLasers are a valuable addition to dentistry, especially for gums, soft tissue and removing old ceramic veneers, but they do not replace the drill or the dentist's judgement. Before paying more for laser dentistry, patients should find out exactly what kind of laser a practice has and what it can and cannot do for their tooth.Closing the episode, Dr Yudelman reflected on more than two and a half years and 132 episodes with Eon and E-Radio, and said he is grateful that listeners have managed to save money, and in some cases save their teeth.Further ResourcesBioactive Fillings, Can a Filling Help Your Tooth Heal? (Episode 131): https://optismile.co.za/blog/bioactive-fillings-can-a-filling-help-your-tooth-heal/Are Silver Amalgam Fillings Dangerous (Episode 123, safe amalgam removal): https://optismile.co.za/blog/are-silver-amalgam-fillings-dangerous/Crown Lengthening for a Gummy Smile (Episode 98): https://optismile.co.za/blog/episode-98-crown-lengthening-fixing-the-gummy-smile/Tongue Ties in Adults, Speech, Gum Health and Sleep (Episode 101): https://optismile.co.za/blog/tongue-ties-in-adults-speech-gum-health-sleep/Dental Injections Explained (Episode 102): https://optismile.co.za/blog/dental-injections-explained/Robots and AI in Dentistry (Episode 128): https://optismile.co.za/blog/robots-and-ai-in-dentistry/The Advantages of Injection Moulded Composite Veneers (Episode 22): https://optismile.co.za/blog/the-advantages-of-injection-moulded-composite-veneers/An In-Depth Look at Dental Veneers (Episode 20): https://optismile.co.za/blog/an-in-depth-look-at-dental-veneers/Behind the Scenes, Advanced Technology and Personalised Dentistry (Episode 50): https://optismile.co.za/blog/behind-the-scenes-advanced-technology-and-personalised-dentistry-in-south-africa/Injection Moulding Technique for Veneers and Bonding: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/injection-moulding-technique/Dental Veneers in Cape Town: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/dental-veneers/Teeth Cleaning in Cape Town: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/teeth-cleaning/Dental Implants in Cape Town: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/dental-implants/Cochrane Review, Lasers for Caries Removal in Deciduous and Permanent Teeth: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010229.pub2/fullFotona Dental Lasers: https://www.fotona.com/en/BIOLASE Dental Lasers: https://www.biolase.com/AquaCare by Velopex: https://velopex.com/aquacare/EMS Dental: https://www.ems-dental.com/South African Dental Association: https://www.sada.co.za/OptiSmile Podcast Series: https://optismile.co.za/podcasts/OptiSmile YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OptismileZa-dentist-cape-townContact OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/contact-dentist-cape-town/Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast, "Save Your Money Save Your Teeth" on Medical Mondays, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as dental or medical advice. The insights and opinions expressed by Dr. Clifford Yudelman and any guests are designed to foster a better understanding of dental health, preventive measures, and general well-being, but should not be interpreted as professional dental or medical recommendations. Dr. Clifford Yudelman does not diagnose, treat, or offer prevention strategies for any health conditions directly through this podcast. This platform is not a substitute for the personalized care and advice provided by a licensed dental or healthcare professional. We strongly encourage our listeners to consult with their own dental care providers to address individual dental health needs and concerns. The information shared here aims to empower listeners with knowledge about dental health but must not be used as a basis for making health-related decisions without professional guidance. Your dental care provider is the best source of advice about your dental and overall health. Please always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified health professionals regarding any questions or concerns about your dental health.

How much of your monthly income should go towards essentials like housing, groceries, transport and other everyday necessities? Are you spending too much in certain areas without even realising it?In this episode of Your Money Maument, financial expert Mauritz Oberholzer explores how to allocate your income wisely, balance essential expenses with savings, and make smarter budgeting decisions. Discover practical ways to manage your money, avoid overspending and ensure your financial priorities are in the right place.Because making your money work for you starts with knowing where it should go.Your Money Maument is aired on eRadio SA every Thursday and available as a podcast afterwards.

Can Your Body Corporate Cut Off Your Electricity Over Unpaid Levies? We ask Merilynn Du Plessis of Hahn & Hahn Attorneys. Legal Talk is aired every Wednesday morning at 10:00 on eRadio SA and available as a podcast thereafter.

Welcome back to Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth. In the previous episode, Eon Engelbrecht and Dr Clifford Yudelman looked at 4D printing and shape memory aligners. This episode stays with clever materials, but turns to the ones that go inside the tooth itself: bioactive materials that release minerals, fight acid and claim to help a tooth protect itself.They cover what "bioactive" really means, whether a filling can help a tooth heal, how MTA can protect a nerve and avoid a root canal, why the edges of a filling matter so much, and what is real versus marketing in "self-healing" fillings. They also discuss whether bioactive fillings last longer than ordinary white fillings, who benefits most from these materials, how they look compared with composite or porcelain, how they fit into a save-your-money approach, and the questions patients should ask their dentist, along with how these materials are used at OptiSmile.10 Questions and Summary Answers[1:18] What exactly is a bioactive material? Dr Yudelman explains that "bioactive" is a word marketing departments love and use loosely. Strictly speaking, it means a material that interacts with the tooth, releasing calcium, phosphate or fluoride and encouraging the tooth to respond. The top composite bonding materials used day to day at OptiSmile, such as G-ænial Universal Injectable, are not bioactive; they are valued for their strength, handling, wear resistance and the seal they form to enamel and dentine. Genuinely bioactive materials are a much smaller group, used mostly deep down near the nerve, underneath a normal composite. He warns that some biologic dentists place proprietary "natural mineral" materials, and that he has seen these fail badly, cracking and wearing, sometimes leading to root canals or tooth loss.[5:36] Can a filling material actually help a tooth heal itself or even grow new dentine? Enamel never comes back, but the living tooth underneath can respond. Calcium silicate cements such as MTA, originally derived from Portland cement, can encourage the nerve to lay down a fresh bridge of hard tissue over itself, and even a nerve that bleeds during preparation can settle and heal under MTA. This only works on a healthy nerve; lingering pain to cold of more than 20 seconds or spontaneous pain points to a root canal instead. Modern guidelines also say the dentist does not need to scrape every last bit of soft decay off the nerve, as long as the edges are cleaned thoroughly and the tooth is properly sealed. Dr Yudelman describes the glass ionomer approach he uses, where decay sealed under glass ionomer in a symptom-free tooth was later shown to harden up.[9:36] Why do the edges of a filling matter so much? Most fillings do not fail because they break; they fail because decay creeps back in at the edges. Glass ionomer releases fluoride when it is hit by acid, like a sprinkler that switches on when there is smoke, and actively fights decay. It is useful in the elderly, in root cavities, in children and where moisture is hard to control, and it is the basis of the ART technique used in countries with little access to care. Dr Yudelman does not generally use glass ionomer for permanent fillings in adults, as fillings he sees placed this way may not decay but wear badly and do not look good.[11:10] Some materials claim to self-heal tiny gaps. What is real and what is marketing? According to the research, self-healing fillings are not real yet, although the idea is promising for the future. Dr Yudelman explains that a strong, solid, ceramic-like composite that bonds to the tooth cannot at the same time leach chemicals and deposit minerals. For now, patients should not worry about self-sealing fillings.[11:57] Do bioactive fillings actually last longer than ordinary white fillings? No; this is where the marketing gets ahead of the evidence. Dr Yudelman notes that one well-known material sold as bioactive failed at about ten times the rate of an ordinary composite in a clinical trial. In a glass ionomer sandwich, he keeps the glass ionomer closest to the nerve and makes sure none is exposed at the edges, because it can wash out. Newer resin-modified glass ionomers are light cured and behave much like composites, but they release very little fluoride outside the laboratory.[13:26] Who benefits most from these materials? Patients at very high risk of decay benefit most: older patients with decay on exposed roots, frail or nursing home patients where a sensitive tooth affects quality of life, and patients with no saliva after radiation treatment. Dr Yudelman likes glass ionomer for children because it bonds well, and wear matters less on baby teeth that will be lost anyway. He prefers glass ionomers to resin sealants, based on research he was exposed to by Professor Laurence Walsh in Australia. These materials have their place, but it is limited.[15:18] Do they actually look as natural as white fillings or porcelain? Absolutely not. Glass ionomer has a very opaque look, although newer resin-modified versions are more translucent, and MTA is grey, almost black, so it must be well hidden under the filling. MTA is also very expensive, so these materials are placed close to the nerve and covered with composite or a ceramic inlay or onlay, with crowns avoided unless absolutely necessary. Many dentists use them along the gum line, where fillings are hard to keep in place, and Dr Yudelman suggests a future refresher episode on gum line fillings.[16:49] They cost a little more. How do they fit into the save your money philosophy? Cheap dentistry that fails early is expensive dentistry; if an MTA pulp cap keeps a nerve alive and avoids a root canal and crown, it saves thousands of rands. Cochrane reviews found no proven benefit to placing these materials routinely under every ordinary composite, so patients who see a pulp cap on a quote can ask whether it is truly needed, since no one can check once it is under the filling. At OptiSmile, if a filling turns out deeper than expected and needs an unquoted pulp cap, it is normally done at no charge rather than upcharging after a quote. Where a pulp cap is quoted, the fee of just over a thousand rand reflects the extra time and care to remove decay carefully and avoid a root canal, not just the material.[20:22] What should patients ask their dentist? Dr Yudelman suggests three questions. First, if the decay is deep, can the nerve be protected rather than removed with a root canal; if the dentist has not heard of MTA, a second opinion is worthwhile, especially if cold sensitivity fades within about ten seconds. Second, am I at high risk of decay, and would a fluoride-releasing material help, for example after radiation treatment or with dry mouth from Sjögren's syndrome. Third, if a bioactive filling is being sold as a premium upgrade or promoted on Instagram or TikTok, be sceptical.[20:22] How are these materials used at OptiSmile? Most fillings at OptiSmile are ordinary, best-in-class composite that is well bonded to the tooth. If the nerve is exposed, it is capped with MTA. If the cavity is deep or the patient is at high risk, glass ionomer goes under the composite. Dr Yudelman sums it up by saying the smartest dentistry is the quiet dentistry that lasts.OutroThe takeaway from this episode is that "bioactive" is more marketing term than miracle. Strong, well-bonded composite remains the workhorse filling, while genuinely active materials such as MTA and glass ionomer earn their place deep near the nerve and for high-risk patients, where they can save a nerve, a root canal and a great deal of money.Dr Yudelman closes by saying that the smartest dentistry is the quiet dentistry that lasts. Next week: laser dentistry.Further ResourcesHow to Spot Dental Upselling (Episode 129, production dentistry): https://optismile.co.za/blog/how-to-spot-dental-upselling/Root Canal Treatment at OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/root-canal-treatment-cape-town/Restorative Dentistry at OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/restorative-dentistry/Dental Bonding at OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/dental-bonding/Injection Moulding Technique at OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/injection-moulding-technique/Dental Inlays and Onlays at OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/dental-inlays-overlays/Paediatric Dentist at OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/paediatric-dentist/GC (makers of G-ænial and Fuji): https://www.gc.dental/Cochrane: https://www.cochrane.org/OptiSmile Podcast Series: https://optismile.co.za/podcasts/OptiSmile YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OptismileZa-dentist-cape-townContact OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/contact-dentist-cape-town/Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast, "Save Your Money Save Your Teeth" on Medical Mondays, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as dental or medical advice. The insights and opinions expressed by Dr. Clifford Yudelman and any guests are designed to foster a better understanding of dental health, preventive measures, and general well-being, but should not be interpreted as professional dental or medical recommendations. Dr. Clifford Yudelman does not diagnose, treat, or offer prevention strategies for any health conditions directly through this podcast. This platform is not a substitute for the personalized care and advice provided by a licensed dental or healthcare professional. We strongly encourage our listeners to consult with their own dental care providers to address individual dental health needs and concerns. The information shared here aims to empower listeners with knowledge about dental health but must not be used as a basis for making health-related decisions without professional guidance. Your dental care provider is the best source of advice about your dental and overall health. Please always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified health professionals regarding any questions or concerns about your dental health.