#Prosthetic Dentistry

[quartervirus]

Could I pester you for who you got your veneers done by? 🥺 I have veneers because my teeth were trash to begin with, and my dentist then wouldnt do this for me. But Id still LOVE to do this, and ypurs look GREAT

I am located in Sweden so I don't know how helpful my advice will be, but I went to a practice called Aqua Dental. You may have more success looking for other cosmetic/prosthetic dentists in your area.

It's unfortunate that your dentist was unwilling to do fangs, but I understand their reluctance. As a rule they are not allowed to "harm" their patients, and these types of cosmetics risk damaging your gums, lower teeth, or altering your smile if the fangs interfere with your other teeth.

I lucked out in that the orthodontist failed to "fix" my slight overbite, which gives me about 0.5 cms (5 mms) to play with before I risk hitting my gums.

I hope you're able to find a dentist willing to help out and best of luck with your new fangs!

[family-dental-clinic]

How to Make Your Child's Dental Visits Fear-Free: The Power of Preventive Dentistry

As parents, ensuring the health and well-being of our children is always a priority, and dental health is a key part of this. Yet, many children feel anxious or scared about visiting the dentist. Fear of the unknown can make dental visits stressful for both the child and the parent. However, introducing your child to preventive dentistry at an early age can make these visits a positive and stress-free experience.

Preventive dentistry is all about avoiding oral health issues before they begin, and when implemented from a young age, it can transform your child's relationship with dental care. Here’s how you can help your child have a fear-free dental experience through the power of preventive dentistry.

Start Early: When Should My Child First Visit the Dentist?

Many parents wonder when the right time is to take their child to the dentist. The general recommendation is to bring your child in for their first dental visit as soon as their first tooth erupts, typically between six months to a year old. Early visits allow the dentist to monitor your child's dental development and help establish a dental routine before any potential issues arise.

Early visits also provide an opportunity to introduce your child to the dental environment in a calm, friendly way. This prevents the buildup of fear and anxiety around dental visits later in life.

Establish Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home

The foundation of preventive dentistry begins at home. Teaching your child good oral hygiene practices can instill lifelong healthy habits. Here are a few essential tips to start:

Brushing twice daily: Show your child the proper brushing technique using a soft-bristled toothbrush. You can even make it fun by turning it into a daily routine with their favorite music or a timer.

Flossing regularly: Start flossing as soon as your child’s teeth begin to touch. Flossing is essential to remove food particles and plaque that brushing alone can’t reach.

Healthy diet: Encourage a diet low in sugar and acidic foods. Limiting sugary snacks can significantly reduce the risk of cavities and tooth decay.

Regular preventive care at home can make dentist visits smoother and more comfortable, as your child will already have a routine for taking care of their teeth.

The Importance of Preventive Dental Treatments

There are specific preventive treatments that your dentist can provide to protect your child's teeth from decay and future dental problems:

Pit and Fissure Sealants: Your child’s back teeth, particularly the molars, can have deep grooves that are difficult to clean. Pit and fissure sealants are protective coatings that your dentist can apply to these areas to prevent plaque and bacteria from causing cavities.

Topical Fluoride Application: Fluoride treatments strengthen your child’s tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay. These are professionally applied by the dentist and are especially helpful for children prone to cavities.

Space Maintainers: If your child loses a baby tooth prematurely, a space maintainer can be used to ensure the permanent tooth has room to grow in properly. This prevents future orthodontic issues.

These treatments are quick, painless, and non-invasive, helping to keep your child's dental visits stress-free while ensuring their long-term oral health.

Making the Dental Visit a Positive Experience

Many children’s fear of the dentist stems from uncertainty or negative associations. Here are a few tips to make dental visits enjoyable for your child:

Choose a child-friendly dentist: A pediatric dentist or a general dentist experienced in treating children will know how to make the experience fun and comforting. Look for a dental clinic that uses child-friendly language, has a welcoming atmosphere, and takes the time to explain procedures in a way that your child can understand.

Prepare your child in advance: Talk to your child about what to expect during their dental visit. Explain that the dentist is there to help keep their teeth healthy and strong. Avoid using negative language such as “pain” or “hurt” and focus on the positives of having a clean, healthy smile.

Bring a comfort item: If your child has a favorite toy, blanket, or stuffed animal, bring it along to the appointment. Having a familiar object can provide comfort and distraction during the visit.

Offer praise and rewards: Celebrate after the dental visit, whether it's with verbal praise, a small reward, or a fun activity. Positive reinforcement can help your child associate dental visits with positive outcomes.

Build a Relationship with Your Child’s Dentist

Regular checkups allow your child to build a relationship with their dentist. As they become more familiar with the dentist and the dental office, their anxiety will likely decrease over time. Schedule appointments at times when your child is well-rested and not hungry to minimize stress.

Give Your Child the Gift of a Fear-Free Dental Experience

At Family Dental Clinic & Implant Center, we specialize in pediatric and preventive dentistry to make sure your child’s dental visits are safe, stress-free, and enjoyable. Our team of friendly, highly trained professionals will guide your child through each step of their dental care journey, using preventive treatments to protect their smile for life. Schedule your child's next appointment with us and start them on the path to a lifetime of healthy, happy dental visits.

Contact Us Today Phone: 0883 248 0088 Address: 22-9-15/2, Korukonda Road, Kambala Chervu, Opposite Bijili Ice Factory, Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh 533105

Let us help your child grow up with a bright and fearless smile!

[moderndentistry12]

FAQs on prosthetic dentistry for MDS aspirants

Question 1. What is prosthetic dentistry? 

Prosthetic dentistry, also known as prosthodontics, is a branch of dentistry that focuses on replacing missing teeth and restoring their function. It involves the replacement of missing parts of teeth, gums, and jaws using oral prostheses. This branch of dentistry aims to design, fit, and fabricate artificial dental structures to closely resemble the natural teeth and surrounding tissues.

Question 2. What does a course in prosthetic dentistry include?

Prosthetic dentistry is an integral part of the B.D.S. curriculum, typically covered from the early years until the final year of the program. During the initial years of the B.D.S. program, often referred to as the preclinical years, students are introduced to the fundamentals of prosthetic dentistry. They learn in preclinical laboratories to become familiar with and proficient in using laboratory equipment. Also, students are taught various surgical techniques that are essential for their future roles as prosthodontists. Throughout the course, students study diverse subjects related to prosthetic dentistry. These may include dental anatomy, prosthodontic materials, complete and partial dentures, fixed prosthodontics, implant dentistry, and interdisciplinary treatment approaches. The curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the principles, techniques, and latest advancements in the field. Alongside classroom learning, students also gain practical training through hands-on laboratory work and clinical rotations. They work under the guidance of experienced faculty and dental professionals to develop their skills in prosthetic procedures and patient management.

Question 3. What are the necessary qualifications to enroll in a prosthetic dentistry course?

To be eligible for an MDS degree in prosthetic dentistry, aspiring candidates must hold a BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) degree or any other degree recognized and prescribed by the Dental Council of India. This BDS degree serves as the foundational requirement for pursuing specialization in prosthetic dentistry.

Question 4: What sets prosthodontists apart from general dentists?

Regular dentists, also known as general dentists, primarily focus on routine dental care, including dental check-ups, cleanings, and minor procedures such as fillings. They play a crucial role in maintaining oral health, providing preventive care, and offering advice on maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

On the other hand, prosthodontists are dental specialists who have undergone extensive and highly-focused training in tooth replacement and restoration. They specialize in handling complex cases of tooth replacement, prosthetic dentistry, and maxillofacial treatment options.

Question 5: What are the common problems that prosthodontics treat?

Prosthodontics can effectively address some of the common dental issues such as:

Aesthetic dentistry, improving the appearance of teeth and smiles.

Dental implants, offering a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth.

Fixed and removable dentures, restoring oral function and aesthetics.

Replacement of missing teeth, addressing gaps and restoring oral health.

Question 6: What are the skills that MDS students must acquire to become successful prosthodontists? 

Prosthodontists must possess strong time management skills to effectively plan and execute dental procedures. Attention to detail is crucial in prosthodontics to ensure precision and accuracy in fabricating dental prostheses and performing corrective surgeries.Also, they require excellent manual dexterity to handle delicate dental instruments and perform intricate procedures. Developing precise hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills is essential to deliver optimal outcomes in restorative dentistry. Prosthodontists need to stay updated with the latest advancements in dental technology and techniques. Familiarity with digital dentistry, CAD/CAM systems, and computer-aided design software is becoming increasingly important for prosthodontic practice. 

Looking for a good college for pursuing prosthetic dentistry?

Check the Department of Prosthetics, Crowns & Bridges at Karnavati School of Dentistry. Their course curriculum covers all aspects of dentistry including Prosthodontics. With experienced faculty and advanced equipment,  students develop a strong knowledge base and skill set for a promising career in the field of dentistry. For more information, get in touch with them. 

[emotionaloof]

ive passed more finalss so have some more silly prime defender doodles ive made while procrastinating

[keyrousse]

No feeling like going to two lectures/workshops on two different specialities in your job in one week, one specialty that you do regularly but don't like, and the other you don't do yet but feel like you should, and realising you really don't want to do the latter one and maybe focus on the one that you already do. Despite not liking it.

I need to talk to my boss...

[toothfairyjournal]

A ten days dump

May this year ends well ♡

[vinnovadentalthurgoona]

Dental Bridges: Fill the Gap, Restore Your Smile!

Dental bridges replace missing teeth, restore chewing and speech, prevent teeth shifting, and enhance your smile and confidence."

[bhavanameti]

Strategic Overview of the Dental Materials Market

Meticulous Research®—a leading global market research company, published a research report titled, ‘Dental Materials Market by Type (Ceramics, Metal-Ceramics, Amalgam, Resin-based Composites, Glass Ionomer, Biomaterials {Bone Grafts, Membrane}, Bonding Agents), End User (Dental Lab, Dental Manufacturer, Clinics, Research) - Global Forecast to 2030.’

According to Meticulous Research®, the dental materials market is expected to reach $8.4 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 6.1%. This growth is driven by the increasing prevalence of dental diseases and rising demand for cosmetic dentistry and dental tourism.

Dental Materials Market: Future Outlook

The market is divided by type (Indirect Restorative Materials {metal-ceramics, ceramics, other indirect restorative materials}, direct restorative materials {amalgam, resin-based composites, glass ionomer, and other direct restorative materials}, dental biomaterials {dental bone grafts, membranes, and other dental biomaterials}, impression materials, bonding agents), end user (dental products manufacturers, dental laboratories, dental clinics & hospitals, and academic & research institutes), and geography. The study evaluates industry competitors and their market shares globally and regionally.

In 2023, the indirect restorative materials segment is anticipated to account for the largest share due to the demand for aesthetic dentistry, durability, advancements in CAD/CAM technology, and implant dentistry. The metal-ceramics sub-segment is expected to lead within this segment due to its strength, toughness, and resistance to wear and corrosion.

The dental clinics & hospitals segment is projected to account for the largest market share in 2023, driven by high prevalence of dental diseases, advanced technology adoption by dental laboratories, and consolidation of dental clinics. Dental service organizations (DSOs) support practices by reducing administrative costs, providing marketing and superior recruiting, and achieving higher reimbursements.

Geographic Review

The report provides comprehensive analysis of major regions, including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to hold the largest market share in 2023, with the U.S. being the largest market. Factors include high healthcare spending, disposable incomes, and oral health awareness.

Key Players

Major players in the dental materials market include Institut Straumann AG (Switzerland), ZimVie Inc. (U.S.), Envista Holdings Corporation (U.S.), 3M Company (U.S.), DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. (U.S.), Kulzer GmbH (Germany), GC Corporation (Japan), Ultradent Products Inc. (U.S.), Ivoclar Vivadent AG (Liechtenstein), and KURARAY Co. Ltd (Japan).

Download Sample Report Here @ https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=3182

Key questions answered in the report-

Which are the high-growth market segments in terms of type, end user, and region/country?

What was the historical market for dental materials across the globe?

What are the market forecasts and estimates for the period 2023–2030?

What are the major drivers, restraints, challenges, opportunities, and trends in the global dental materials market?

Who are the major players in the dental materials market?

How is the competitive landscape, and who are the market leaders in the dental materials market?

What are the recent developments in the dental materials market?

What are the different strategies adopted by the major players in the dental materials market?

What are the geographical trends and high growth regions/countries?

Contact Us: Meticulous Research® Email- sales@meticulousresearch.com Contact Sales- +1-646-781-8004 Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/meticulous-research

[artmolds]

Exploring the Magic of Alginate Impression Materials and Hand Spatulation in Dental Practice

In the world of dentistry, precision is paramount. Whether it's crafting a crown, fabricating dentures, or creating a nightguard, the first step often involves taking an accurate impression of the patient's teeth and surrounding tissues. Enter alginate impression materials—a staple in every dental office's arsenal.

[archangeldyke-all]

Picking Sevika up from a wisdom teeth removal. I'm imagining her being all goofy and confused (because she's absolutely blasted), but every couple conversations or so, she reminds herself that she's a serious person.

Like :) then >:(

PLEASE THIS IS CUTE

men and minors dni

singed can do a lot. genetically mutate living creatures? sure. resurrect the dead with the power of shimmer? no problem. construct a fully functioning, shimmer fueled, sword wielding, prosthetic arm? you gotcha.

but a simple wisdom tooth removal?

apparently that's too much for singed. so you have to drag sevika up to piltover.

as if she wasn't already in enough pain from her teeth coming in-- the only place your wife could go to get some relief is her least favorite place in the world.

she's a grumpy, pissy mess on your way up.

"i'll just fuckin' pull 'em out myself." she whines as you buy tickets to the elevator out of the lanes.

"god, babe, just grab a brick and smash it against my head, okay?" she mumbles as she buries her head into your shoulder on the tram ride into town.

"next person who looks at us like that's gettin' my foot up their ass." she growls when several wealthy piltover citizens scatter as the two of you walk down the sidewalk. you chuckle.

you give her a kiss when her name is called, and she groans before she follows the nurse into the back office.

you spend the next two hours flipping through magazines and thinking about your wife. you hope this is the extent of her dental issues-- or that singed teaches himself dentistry. piltover makes you antsy. you know it's ten times worse for sev.

but then, two hours later, the nurse calls you back to be there as sevika wakes up. "she did really good." she says. "we were in and out in no time."

"oh, good." you sigh, relieved. "is she gonna be in much pain?"

"not when she wakes up." the nurse chuckles. "we got her on the good stuff right now. but, in a few hours it'll wear off and she'll start having pain. we're gonna give you some pills to take home, give her one every twelve hours for a week to help with the pain." she says. you nod.

"thank you so much." you say as she opens a small curtian. she nods, hands you the little bottle of pills, and then waves as she walks away. sevika's on a reclined dental chair, knocked out and snoring, drooling on the head rest. you burst into giggles as you approach her, gently reaching out and starting to stroke your fingers through her hair. "sevikaaa..." you sing.

her face scrunches up. "mmmbaby?" she mumbles around the wads of cotton in her cheeks. you chuckle, then duck down and kiss her forehead.

"goodmorning, sunshine." you whisper. she huffs.

"my teeth all gone?" she asks. you giggle.

"yep."

she finally blinks her eyes open to look at you. "hey, pretty." she says, smiling. you grin.

"hey, beautiful. ready to get home?" you ask. sevika nods, nuzzling against your palm as you stroke her face.

"'m so fuckin' high ri' now." she giggles as she struggles to get out of her chair. you laugh as you help her stand.

"you're so cute." you laugh, wrapping an arm around her waist as you start to guide her out of the room. her cheeks--stuffed with cotton-- bulge as she grins at you. you can't help yourself from darting forward and pressing a kiss to both.

she's pretty steady on her feet, but she keeps giggling as she walks, trying to press kisses against your head. with her entire jaw and mouth numb, though, she can't tell that she's kissing you-- and she keeps huffing in frustration as she smacks her lips all over your head.

"sev!" you laugh as the two of you stumble out of the dentists' office. the bright light of piltover hits you-- and you both scrunch your faces up in the light. sevika's goofy mood leaves in a flash when she remembers where she is.

"fuckin' topsiders." she grumbles as the two of you walk toward the tram. you giggle.

"what happened to my happy high sevy?" you ask, wiping up a bit of drool on her chin.

"pil'over. shitheads." she explains. you chuckle.

"we'll be home soon." you promise her. she studies you, a smile slowly growing on her lips as she does.

"we gonna fuck?" she asks, waggling her eyebrows. you burst into laughter, and sevika's smile only grows.

"absolutely not!" you laugh. she gasps.

"why not?" she whines. you giggle.

"you can't even feel your mouth right now!" you say. she furrows her brow, then reaches up to poke at her jaw, her eyes widening when she realizes you're right. you chuckle and continue. "and you just got outta surgery-- don't you want a nap?" you ask. sevika pouts.

"i want you." she whines, nuzzling her nose against your neck. you snort. a few strangers walk by, giving you judgmental looks as sevika's hands wander up and down your body and her nose rubs against your pulse. you're just happy she's not grumpy-- and she hasn't tried to strip you yet.

"you'll have me baby. i'll hold you all night, make you milkshakes for dinner, play with your hair..."

"but no sex?" she pouts. you laugh.

you're saved by the bell-- literally. the tram rings it's little bell, and you tug sevika into the cart, pushing her into a free seat and standing in front of her, holding the bar. the tram starts its way down the streets of piltover, and sevika's back to glaring at the people and buildings all around her.

she's hilarious, trying to act tough while she's simultaneously drooling down her chin, a wad of cotton slowly sliding out of her cheek. you snort, wiping up her chin again. "you're a mess." you say fondly.

an old woman sitting a few seats down smiles sweetly at you and sevika. you smile back. sevika takes your momentary distraction to her advantage, reaching out and tugging your wrist so you stumble and fall into her lap. you squeal. sevika hums happily as you squirm to get comfortable in her legs, hooking her chin over your shoulder.

the old woman's grinning now. she's the only one-- the rest of the passengers seem mortified. you just muffle your laugh into the side of sevika's head. "you're a mess." you whisper. she hums.

"tired."

the tram drops the two of you off a few minutes later, and as you ride back down to piltover, sevika gets progressively sleepier.

it starts with a hand around your waist, then it's both. then, it's her head resting against your shoulder, then it's her hanging off of you as you trudge through the streets.

you catch a few familiar eyes on your way home. a couple of regulars at the last drop gawk at the sight of a giggly, sleepy sevika clinging to you. some of them open their mouths to ask or say something-- you just glare at them to get them to shut up.

at one point, sevika must catch some of the looks. she doesn't stand up from her slumped over posture against you, but she does growl out a slurred "fuck're y' lookin' at?!"

you laugh as the man who had been staring quickly turns around and runs in the opposite direction.

"be nice, sev." you whisper. she huffs.

"they're starin'."

"maybe 'cause they're shocked to know you're a cuddlebug." you say. sevika huffs again.

"shuddup." she mumbles against your neck.

the second you get home she collapses against the bed. you try to get some work done around the house, you want to get some water and painkillers by the bed, get sevika in her jammies. but before you can walk away, she reaches out and grabs your wrist, then pulls you ontop of her on the bed. you giggle against her.

"sevika--"

"'y said you'd hold me." she whines. you just huff, kick your shoes off, and curl up on top of her. she hums, and tries her best to kiss you with her numb mouth. you giggle against her slobbery, bloody, cotton-filled mouth, and then fall asleep on top of her.

taglist!

@fyeahnix @sapphicsgirl @half-of-a-gay @thesevi0lentdelights @sexysapphicshopowner @shimtarofstupidity @love-sugarr @chuucanchuucan @222danielaa @badbye666 @femme-historian @lia-winther @gr0ssz0mbi3 @ellsss @sevikaspillowprincess @leomatsuzaki @emiliabby @sevikasbeloved @hellorai @vikasub

[p-artsypants]

A Kiss a Day Makes a Viking Cra...zy

Ever since the end of the Dragon War, Astrid has rewarded Hiccup with little kisses for doing something right. It was a little ritual, a punch and then a kiss. But after the end of the war with the Berserkers, Astrid claims he doesn't need the kisses anymore.

Hiccup begs to differ, and does something stupid and drastic about it.

Ao3 | FF.net

“I could get used to it.” That was supposed to be a joke, an instinctual reaction to being thrown for a lovely dovey loop. 

It was not supposed to be a challenge, which at this point, Hiccup wondered if that’s how Astrid took it.

The format was always the same. A punch on the arm, or stomach, or some other tender spot for a mistake, and then followed by a kiss. The kiss wasn’t necessarily given a stated reason anymore, just implied to be earned when something good was done. Especially for good things no one else was going to recognize him for. Kind of like the ultimate critique sandwich, but backwards and open faced. Or a reversal of the Honey and the Hatchet. 

Really, it was just Astrid’s thing. 

The second kiss came a week after the first. Hiccup was still getting used to his prosthetic leg and spent most time getting around on Toothless. Despite this, he was doing his best to acclimate the Dragons and villagers to each other. He worked hard and did his best, but it wasn’t until Stoick allowed them to start the dragon academy that things were starting to fall into place. 

As Hiccup watched the sign placed on top of the old kill ring, he felt a sense of pride. Then a punch to the arm. “Ow!” 

“That’s for working so hard when you should still be resting,” Astrid scolded. 

“Well, I’d love to! But with all the dragons still settling and everyone getting used to—” 

Astrid cut him off with a kiss, watching as he kept his eyes closed after for a moment before fluttering open. 

“But you did good. I think this’ll be a lot of fun.” 

“Uh huh,” he grinned. 

The next one was given after Gobber started his Dragon dentistry practice. The punch was because Hiccup had let Gobber’s imagination run wild and almost caused damage to the dragons. But the kiss was just as sweet as it had ever been. 

Another came after the first snow of the season. Astrid challenged him to a friendly race down the mountain, riding the snow instead of flying. Their game got a little rowdier than it should have and their shenanigans caused an avalanche. On dragons, one merely needs to fly away, but Hiccup was out of luck as the snow froze Toothless’ tail shut. 

Astrid was determined to help and steered Stormfly close to try. All this really accomplished was getting them both knocked into a gorge. 

“Astrid?”

“Hiccup, over here…I’m freezing.” 

Hiccup crawled over to where he heard her voice in the darkness. “Come here, I got you.” 

Astrid likewise reached out for him, finding his scrawny body and wrapping her arms around him to suck up whatever heat he had. In return, he wrapped his arms around her, rubbing his hands over her back and arms. 

“Where are the dragons?” He asked, teeth chattering. 

Toothless warbled in response, and then blasted up at the ceiling of ice. The light illuminated the area for a moment, and melted the ice a little, water dripping down on them. Stormfly did the same, her flame bursting like a torch. 

With the light, they could see both dragons had their wings raised and formed a sort of tent around them to keep them from being buried in the snow. 

“Wow…they protected us.” 

“Amazing,” Astrid breathed, and then turned to look at him. 

Whoa he was close! Their noses almost touched! Both scrambled a few inches away, still holding onto each other’s arms for warmth, but separated their bodies. 

“Oh! Yeah, so uh…we’re good now. No peril!” 

“Yep,” she cleared her throat. She was determined not to be awkward, and punched him. 

“Ow!” 

“For starting the avalanche,” she explained. 

“Me starting it? Oh I don’t think so! I’m pretty sure—“ 

As if he hadn’t learned better by now, Astrid cut him off with a tiny kiss. 

“Uh…for keeping you warm?” 

“Wow, you really are a genius.” 

“Hey!”

Almost weekly, Hiccup did something that Astrid decided deserved a kiss. From helping his father tame a Thunderdrum, to saving the village dragons from the illness of the blue oleander, Astrid was there with the one-two punch. 

The Snoggletog kiss was well appreciated, he thought. Bringing back all the other dragons and having to be alone without Toothless for the holidays would have been tough. But thankfully, that moment of melancholy didn’t last and Toothless arrived just in time, with a gift of his own. 

Heather almost threw off their ritual with her arrival and upset, but once Astrid got her ‘not jealousy’ under control, they were able to help her instead. Hiccup could have sworn the kiss that came later was more intense and lasted longer than usual. 

 He got one for throwing Thawfest so that Snotlout could preserve the honor of his family name. That kiss was bittersweet, because Snotlout’s bragging had been beyond hurtful. 

The day Hiccup had been struck by lightning, he was pretty sure he was done for. That would be the last of his great deeds. But he awoke with a splitting headache, a gross taste in his mouth, and a cool new scar on his left side. Astrid was there, sitting with him and Toothless while he recovered. 

“Hey,” she said, her voice wet. 

“Hi,” he breathed. For a moment he panicked. He threw the covers back and saw that he was still just missing the one leg. He breathed a sigh of relief. “For a second there, I thought I lost another one.” 

She leaned over him. “Nope. Just a little singed hair.” She flicked his ear. 

“Ow!” 

“That’s for scaring me.” 

“Well, sorry! I had to prove—!” 

Predictably, she interrupted him with a kiss. 

“I’m glad you’re okay.” She breathed after pulling away. 

“Just…stop me before I do something stupid like that again.” 

On and on, through thick and thin, the only constants were Toothless at his side and Astrid’s kisses. 

It had been a long long year. With everything they had been through with the Outcasts, Dagur, and the Screaming Death, Hiccup was prepared to take a long vacation, hopefully not needing to fight or strategize for a long time. 

Or ever, if he could help it. 

He said as much to his father. “I’d soon just as well leave the chiefing to you.” Though he knew he would have his own problems with the dragons and training them. But that was paltry compared to fighting a war. 

In fact, he probably needed the days of insanity to balance out the days of peace. A little chaos to keep life spicy. 

As he finished his evening flight, he saw Astrid and Stormfly sitting on the high cliff looking over the town, watching the sunset. He was drawn to her, no matter how exhausted his body was. Seeing her, sitting beside her, talking to her, that was peace. That was refreshing. 

Toothless landed behind her, and once Hiccup dismounted, he was off chasing Stormfly. 

“Hi,” Astrid greeted, as his feet touched grass. 

“Evening,” he smiled widely. “May I join you?” 

“So polite! Of course.” She grinned. 

Hiccup plopped down beside her, his hand resting close to hers, not quite touching, but enough to feel the heat and invite her to instigate the touch. 

“I’m really proud of you,” she began, not looking away from the sky. “You did amazing today.” 

“Well, thanks! It was…crazy. I thought I might die there a few times.” 

“You saved the Island. You stopped the war with the Outcasts and Berserkers. We finally have peace.” 

“Well, at least for now. We thought we’d have peace after we killed the Red Death. It didn’t take long for new enemies to pop up.” 

“Old enemies,” Astrid corrected. “The peace with the dragons just made way for the Outcasts to get back into it. And we all knew Dagur was going to be a problem when he became Chief. Don’t be so pessimistic.” 

“You’re right. As usual.” 

She elbowed him gently, a smirk on her lips. 

Hiccup could feel it on the horizon. Their ritual was upon them, and maybe even more significant now that he was anticipating it. In fact, this time, he determined he would kiss her back. Maybe hold her face so she wouldn’t pull away too quickly. 

That was a sign of maturity, wasn’t it? Not letting his knees knock together and his stomach twist at the mere thought of kissing Astrid? 

“So…” He began, desperate to get the ball rolling. 

“Hmm?” 

“Aren’t you…going to give the ol’ one two punch?” 

She glanced at him, one eyebrow raised.

“You know…the punch for doing something stupid, and then…” he tried not to smile at the insinuation. He had to play it cool, coy, afterall. 

“Nah,” she shrugged. “Not this time.” 

He deflated. “Oh.” 

But Astrid wasn’t finished there. She decided to deliver a new ‘one two punch’. “I don’t think you need that anymore.” 

The breath was knocked out of his lungs. “What?” 

“Yeah. You’ve come a long way in your self assurance since those early days. You have so much more confidence now! The village trusts you, even Snotlout trusts you! You don’t need me to give those extra boosts.” 

He felt sick. An absolutely gut-churning sickness. That’s what she was doing? Improving his self worth? 

Well, it had worked, he supposed. 

“I…I didn’t realize…” 

She patted his back, a nice strong slap. “I noticed. You took down this massive monster of a dragon, saved thousands of lives, and when thanked for it, you curled into yourself and brushed it off. Like you didn’t deserve it. But you did!” 

“I mean…I’m still not proud of myself for killing a dragon.” 

“You don’t have to be proud about that part. But you should be proud of rescuing the village after being disowned. Proud of standing up tall in the face of fear. And you should be proud of all that came after it. The friendships that were made, how the entire worldview of Vikings has flipped upside down. You did that.” 

Hiccup swallowed, “yeah, I guess.” 

“And now you’re owning it. You don’t need me anymore.” 

“Wha-wha-what?! That’s crazy talk! Of course I still need you, Astrid! You’ve been my greatest support since the beginning.” 

“I’m not going anywhere, stupid.” She nudged him. “I’m still here to give my support and guidance, but you don’t need me to superficially inflate your ego.” 

“B-but…” 

She stood, giving his head a fond rub. “You’re doing great. Don’t forget that. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” 

“...okay.” He sighed, feeling really rather lousy. 

Astrid didn’t seem to notice, or anticipated he’d take this news poorly. But she just said a cheery goodbye and went to get Stormfly. Then she was gone, leaving the worst kind of heartbreak in her wake. 

Toothless, however, picked up on Hiccup’s mood immediately and went to comfort him as soon as Stormfly left the ground. He nuzzled under Hiccup’s arm and crooned. 

“Thanks bud. I…I’m so stupid. I should have known she didn’t—” The thought was too sad for him to continue. “I should have known.” 

He didn’t sleep well that night. He was pretty sure he didn’t sleep at all. 

Because of what Astrid had said about his self-assurance and being proud of his accomplishments, he tried not to let the hurt show. It was extremely hard, however, and he found himself longing for her more and more when he saw her. Before her speech, he’d say his affection towards Astrid bordered on healthy; a camaraderie between childhood friends, sprinkled with moments and hints of something more. Now, with her withholding that ‘something special’, something unlocked inside of Hiccup. A new, weird and unfamiliar set of desires. He wanted to hold her close, touch her skin, smell her hair. 

Just the thought of it made him blush in shame.   

Hiccup and Astrid. Two peas in a pod. Eggs and bacon. Best of friends who were always together when possible. It had become so commonplace, that everyone noticed something was wrong. 

It only would have been more jarring if Toothless had been the one to say ‘you don’t need me anymore’ and only came around to visit. 

Astrid wasn’t acting any different, and that might have been the hardest part. She still sought him out at the forge or at the academy for company. Only now, when Hiccup heard her calling, he went running and hiding. 

He just couldn’t handle it. He couldn’t handle spending time with her knowing she had no romantic feelings for him whatsoever. 

There was this bitter part of him that claimed she wasted his time. How dare she kiss him and…and train him like a pet! Oh the more he thought about it, the angrier he became! 

And why did it have to be kisses?! Darkly, he wondered if she was trying him out, seeing if he was what she wanted in a partner, only to ultimately decide he wasn’t what she was looking for. 

Talk about a blow to his self-esteem! 

“Hiccup?” Fishlegs asked, standing outside the forge. 

“Oh, hey Fishlegs.” 

“I was wondering if we could…not run drills today?” 

“You can sit out if you want to,” Hiccup assured. “You’ve been doing really good.” 

“Well, that’s the thing. I feel like I’m running those drills in my sleep! Can we do something else? Maybe all the dragon riders can go explore a nearby island. See if there’s any dragon behavior to study?” 

“You know what? That’s a great idea. You guys can go off and explore. I didn’t really have any ideas for lessons anyway.” 

“What about you? You don’t want to come with us?” 

“No, don’t worry about me. In fact, I need to work on my leg and not having the academy stuff to worry about will give me way more time to work on it.” 

“Your leg? What’s wrong with your leg?” 

“Growth spurt!” Gobber interjected cheerfully. “Our little Hiccup has gained two inches in the last month! That’s a record, that is!” 

“And I’m leaning,” Hiccup added. “So I have to decide if I’m going to add a block or just make a new one.” 

“What if you made it telescoping?” Suggested Fishlegs. “So if you grow more, you can make it longer! Then once you think you’re done, you can make a final leg!” 

“That’s not a bad idea, Fishlegs!” Hiccup cheered. 

“It’ll be tricky to get it to hold your weight if it telescopes,” Gobber argued. “But you’re clever enough, you can figure it out.” 

“It might take me a few days. Can you handle the riders in the meantime?” 

“Are you sure?” Asked Fishlegs. “You love leading the academy!” 

“Yeah well, this is more important right now. I’m…I need a project to just focus on.” 

“Well, if you’re sure. I’m sure me and Astrid can come up with things to do.” 

Just hearing her name brought heat to his face. “You uh…you do that.” 

Fishlegs saluted. “Can do!” 

Gobber keenly absorbed this info, and as Hiccup went into the back to get to work, he slipped out to have a chat with Stoick. 

—

That night, Hiccup came home to find Gobber and his father waiting for him. 

“Whoa…hey?” He smiled awkwardly. “What’s with the…disapproving looks? Did I do something wrong?” 

Stoick came right out and said it. “What happened with Astrid?” 

His face flushed. “What? What makes you think something happened with Astrid?! That’s crazy! Ha! Actually, it’s the exact opposite! Nothing happened with Astrid…absolutely nothing.” 

“Well,” Gobber smirked. “I’m convinced.” 

“You can talk to us, son. We’re here to guide you.” 

Hiccup didn’t doubt they meant well, but it wasn’t exactly something he wanted to talk about. Then again, he could do with some validation. It’d be so nice to hear, ‘aye lad, what she did was cruel’. 

Inevitably, Hiccup sighed. “Astrid…she said she’s not going to kiss me anymore.” 

The two men looked surprised, like they weren’t expecting that to be the problem. 

“Go on,” said Stoick, eyebrow rising. 

“Okay, so…you remember how she kissed me after I lost my leg?” 

“Aye! In front of everyone! You know how many people asked about wedding arrangements after that?” Stoick asked. 

“Ugh, don’t tell me.” Hiccup went over and sat by the fire, collecting his thoughts and how to say the rest. “Well…after that, it kind of became a ritual. She’d kiss me, but only as a reward for doing something good. It was never really spontaneous. And we weren’t like…courting or anything.” He sighed. “She just told me that she doesn’t need to do that anymore because my self esteem has improved. And she said it so casually…I didn’t know that’s what she was doing. I thought…maybe…” 

He expected the men to offer condolences, and then words to the effect of ‘buck up boy-o.’

But no. They laughed. Hard. 

Hiccup shrank in his seat. “Wow, thanks. My heart feels so much better.” 

Stoick sat next to him and swept him into a hug. “Aw lad, we’re not laughing at you.” 

“Pretty sure you did.” 

“Nah, it’s only funny because it’s so predictable!” Gobber assured. 

“Predictable? I didn’t see this coming at all.” 

Stoick squeezed his shoulder. “Teenagers are so dramatic. Even the calmest and most rational ones still find a way to make a mess.” 

“Wh-what are you saying? That this is my fault?”  

“Yes and no.” 

“How is this my fault?! What did I do?!” 

“Did you ever kiss her back? Initiate the kisses on your own?” 

Hiccup shrank on himself. “No…but I wanted to.” 

“Oh, so you told her that?” 

“...no.” 

“Well, there you go!” Stoick gestured with a sweep of the arms, like everything was so obvious. 

“You’ve lost me,” Hiccup admitted. 

Stoick smiled knowingly, like he knew a great big secret he was keeping close to the chest. “Astrid, for all her strength as a warrior, is still a woman. And women never say what they mean. It’s like they have their own language.” 

“That’s kinda rude…” 

“Lad, she likes you. Everyone knows that. She wouldn’t be kissing you if she didn’t.” 

“Well, maybe at one time!” Hiccup leapt to his feet, slipping on his shorter foot before regaining his balance. “But she was so nonchalant about it, like she was relieved of her duties.” 

“She’s just playing cold.” 

“I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. Astrid isn’t like that.” 

“Oh lad, you’re going to drive me crazy,” Stoick pinched the bridge of his nose. “Look, she’s putting the ball in your court. She’s constantly been making moves on you to get you to see her feelings, and you haven’t responded. So now, she’s putting it up to you to make things official if you want, or pretend like there’s nothing romantic between you. What you need to do is a grand gesture of some sort. An acknowledgement of this thing between you. She’s tired, and it’s your turn.” 

Hiccup looked into the fire before slowly sitting down. “That seems…really complicated.” 

“Love is complicated.” 

Hiccup felt his cheeks burn at the ‘L’ word. 

“You love her, don’t you?” Stoick asked. “I can tell. I think everyone can.” 

Hiccup buried his head in his hands. “But what if you’re wrong?” 

“I’m not.” 

“But what if you are!? A grand gesture of affection could ruin what little friendship I have left with Astrid!” 

“And not doing it would ruin it, and the possibility of anything more.” 

More. The hand holding, the hair touching, the late night rendezvous to the cove…

“I don’t know…” He groaned. “This is stupid.” 

“Give it a few days,” Stoick advised. “Finish up your leg, and just keep it in the back of your mind. I’m sure you’ll figure it all out.” 

“Your faith in me is astounding.” 

“Well, it’s proved to be fruitful in the past. Why would it be any different now?” 

Hiccup sighed, but smiled in appreciation. It was nice knowing that Stoick was so confident in him. Hiccup just wished he could be that confident. 

—

It took a week to build his new leg. In that time, Astrid came to visit three times. At first, she demanded to know what he was working on and why he wasn’t training with them. When he showed her the schematics for his leg, she seemed rather pleased and didn’t ask anymore questions. She would stay for a while, recounting all that had happened in the day. She complained about Snotlout and the twins, described in the most vivid detail she could the landscapes they saw, and excitedly shared the tidbits of dragon behavior discovered. 

All over, she pretended like everything was fine, and like she didn’t have Stormfly skewer his heart with a Nadder spine. 

Everytime she left, she’d give a cheerful farewell and Hiccup would find himself falling more in love. When did she grow her hair out? Her bangs were no longer a straight fringe she hid an eye behind, but a wave of blond feathers that framed her face. When did she get those curves? Those hips? Those legs?

And when did he start to care about those things?

After a week of hard thinking, he had a finished leg and a plan for Astrid. It was one of his riskier plans, kinda stupid and kinda crazy. But those were her favorite! All he had to do was speak her language…the language of warriors and vikings. 

And, more importantly, it provided Astrid an out. She could take it, and they would simply never talk about this again. And everything would be fine! 

Yeah right. 

It was mid morning, when most of the village was up in the Great Hall having breakfast and sharing the latest gossip and news. If there was ever a time to make a grand gesture, it was now. 

Hiccup and Toothless stood outside the hall, listening to the buzzing crowd. Hiccup was shaking like a leaf, as Toothless nosed him inside. 

He took a deep breath and started walking with purpose towards the head table, where his father was currently seated. He muttered a mantra of ‘this is stupid, I’m so stupid, this is stupid, I’m so stupid’ under his breath. 

Once he reached his father’s table, Stoick smiled at him. “Morning son!” 

Hiccup didn’t respond, too in the zone to do so. Instead, he climbed on the table, careful not to step in his father’s porridge. 

“Ohh is it happenin’?” Asked Gobber, giggling like a teenager. 

Some people stopped talking when they saw him stand, but the whole room fell dead silent as he yelled, “Astrid Hofferson!” At the top of his lungs. 

She looked at him, shocked and surprised. 

He pointed at her, “I’m calling you out!” 

Snotlout sprayed milk out his nose. 

“You, me, a brawl to work out our differences! Tavern style, no armor, no weapons, just fists!” 

Astrid yelled back, “Differences?! What differences?!” 

He didn’t answer her directly, but elaborated. “If you win, I will make you four weapons of your choice. But if I win…you agree to be my betrothed!”

Then the Hall erupted in screaming, like girlish giddy screaming. Mostly from Fishlegs and the twins. Astrid turned very, very red. 

Hiccup held up his hand for silence, then added. “You may turn down this challenge, but that will forfeit the offer of the weapons. What say you?” 

He held his breath and waited, taking in the spectrum of emotions running over Astrid’s face. First shock, then embarrassment, then rage. 

Not a great sign, he supposed. 

With a snarl on her face, she climbed on her own table, and shouted right back at him. “Tonight, in the arena, kiss your ass goodbye!” 

—

“Lad, that wasn’t exactly the grand gesture I had in mind,” said Stoick. 

“Well, think about it,” Hiccup offered. “If she wants to be my betrothed, she can let me win. If not, she gets to beat me up, humiliating me in front of the village, and then she gets a bunch of weapons out of it. It’s a win-win, right?” 

Stoick laughed. “If you say so.” 

“And I do,” Hiccup said resolutely. “You told me to make a grand gesture, and did it in a way that speaks Astrid’s language. Brawling!” 

There was a knock at the door. 

“Oh I hope that’s not Astrid…” Hiccup lamented. 

No, it was Snotlout, standing with a big, wide, smug grin. 

“What do you want?” Hiccup droned, not in the mood. 

“Oh, I’m just here to give you a nice long look. I want to memorize your face so I can mourn you properly after death.” 

“Snotlout, it’s a Tavern Style brawl. She’s not going to kill me. Besides, she needs me alive to make those weapons that were promised.” 

Snotlout laughed. “You have a point there, little Hiccup. But Astrid’s still going to rearrange your face!” 

“Unless she throws the fight and agrees to marry me?” 

“Un-fricken-likely! We all know that Astrid’s got her eyes on me. We quarrel like an old married couple already!” He preened. “Why would she want a bean pole like you?” 

“Oh look at the time, so sorry you have to leave, Snotlout! See you later!” And he slammed the door in his face. “Jerk.” 

“Now don’t let Snotlout get to you, lad.” 

“I can’t help it. It’s the same thing I was thinking before you convinced me to go through this farce. I’m pretty extra sure she’s going to hate me. Maybe I should just get to work on those weapons now. I’m sure she’ll pick an axe at least.” 

“Stop imagining the worst case scenario, lad. You don’t know how this is going to go. Astrid may surprise you.” 

“Yeah, with her fist.” He covered his face with his hands. “Why oh why did I do this?” 

“I think your feelings are interfering with your thinking.” 

“Oh you think?” Hiccup snapped. “Sorry, I just…thought that would go over better. She looked really mad. Like, I’ve never seen her look at me that mad before. I think the closest was when I was picked to fight the Nightmare in the ring back then.” 

“Think of it this way: she feels intensely for you.” 

“That doesn’t help.” 

“So, do you want some pointers? Wanna give this fight the ol’ viking try?” 

“If you can spar and not snap me in half, we can give it a go.” 

—

Hiccup made his way down to the arena early, wanting to beat the questioning crowd. He really didn’t want to be cornered by Mrs. Larson or some other busybody. He barely had answers for his father, let alone anyone else. 

The cage was raised, and some of the men were assembling wooden benches for audience seating. Hiccup wondered if seating was even necessary with how short the fight was expected to last. 

Gobber arrived, looking just as smug as Snotlout had been. 

“I really don’t want to hear it,” Hiccup sighed. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Gobber laughed. “I’m just here to wish my apprentice luck in his fight.” 

“Gee thanks.” 

“I’m going to be mediating the fight, so you throw me the signal when you want me to call it.”

“What about,” he raised his voice, “AGH Gobber! Call the fight, call the fight!” 

“Aye, that’ll work.” 

“Anything else I should know?” 

“Well, it’s best to show your opponent that you aren’t wearing any armor, so take your shirt off.” 

He pulled the green tunic off and tossed it over by the wall. “...she’s not going to, right?”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” 

“Gobber!” 

“Kidding! Kidding! I don’t know what Astrid will do. I’m just giving you some guidance. You’ve never had a proper tavern brawl, have you?”

“What is that, like an oxymoron?”

“You just fight until you can’t anymore. First one to concede or fall unconscious loses.” 

“Sounds pretty straight forward.” 

“A simple sport for a simple people.” 

And then all the air left his lungs as Astrid sauntered into the arena, not wearing her pauldrons, arm bands, knee pads, or armored skirt. So just her sleeveless blue shirt and leggings. As she entered, she toed out of her boots and left them by the gate. Then she walked over. 

“Well, are you prepared?” She asked, hands on her hips. 

“D…uh…huh…” He swallowed. 

With a roll of her eyes, and reached out and took his hand. Then she expertly wrapped his knuckles with a cloth strip, then did the other hand. “Now, what do you say?” 

“Thank you?”

“You’re welcome.” She smirked, giving a patronizing pat to his face before wrapping up her own hands. 

Hiccup shook off his boot. “I’ll uh…I’ll try not to step on your toes with my metal foot.” 

“You won’t,” she assured. 

“Um…may the best viking win?” He grinned awkwardly. 

Astrid gave him a side eye, smirked, and said, “I’m not going to go easy on you.” 

His shoulders sank. “I think that answers my question.” 

“Your dumb idea,” she muttered, going over to the other side of the arena. 

All there was left to do was wait for people to gather to watch him fail miserably. He paced across the dusty floor, occasionally looking over to Astrid to gauge her mood. 

She was stretching, her face neutral and focused. He watched as she bent at the waist and stretched her arms to the sky. Without her armor, he could see her silhouette, her girlish form that would haunt his dreams for possibly the rest of his life. 

He was taken aback by how dainty her feet were. He’d never seen them out of her boots, which was strange, considering how long they’d known each other. 

She lifted her leg back and grabbed it to stretch it behind her head. 

The action made Hiccup squeak. 

“Are you going to stretch?” She called over. “Or snap in half?” 

“Only if you’re doing the snapping.” 

She glared at him. 

Not wanting to make her any angrier, he turned away and attempted to stretch, but it was mostly just swinging his arms around in circles. 

People were gathering, though they didn’t look pumped for a fight, just interested and kind of bored. Most people were just standing, not bothering to sit. 

That was embarrassing. 

Finally, when it looked like those that cared were assembled, Gobber called everyone to attention. “Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to tonight’s entertainment. You know them from the Academy, but this isn’t a challenge between dragons, but fists!” 

People chanted ‘hoo hoo hoo’ from above. 

“Turn him into a pancake!” Ruffnut shouted. 

“Turn his face inside out!” Tuffnut called. 

“Make him regret being born!” Snotlout screamed. 

“Maybe just rough him up a little?” Fishlegs asked. 

“Brawlers, step up!” Gobber beckoned them both forward to stand an arm's length away. “Alright, shake hands.” 

Astrid held out her hand, and smiled at him. “No hard feelings?”

“Of course!” He took her hand. “Please don’t hate me, Astrid. I don’t want to lose you.” 

She frowned, almost a pout. “You won’t lose me. But how mad I will be will depend on how well you perform. Show me what you’re made of.” 

“What? I can’t hit you!” 

“Hiccup!”  

“Alright brawlers, on your mark!” 

“What do you mean you can’t hit me? Why did you want to fight me then?!” 

“Get set…” 

“I figured you’d throw the fight if you wanted to—” 

“I would never!” 

“Go!” 

“Yaah!” Astrid took a step forward and threw her body weight into her fist, which collided with Hiccup’s jaw. It almost felt like slow motion for Hiccup, as he saw that beautiful, almost dainty hand, soar right for his face, and then connect with an audible slap. 

He staggered backwards, feeling his cheek already starting to swell. 

Astrid didn’t give him a second to recover before her elbow was in his stomach, then her palm in his jaw. 

Colors burst behind his eyelids. 

“Check this out!” She called to someone in the stands. Their friends? Her family?

Hiccup suddenly found her legs wrapped around his head, his neck crushed in the crook of her knee. Then she was cranking, twisting, flinging…and he was skittering, slamming, and dying. 

Well, not dying, but he certainly felt like it. 

Astrid appeared above him, leaning over to meet his eyes. “Are you done? Or are you thirsty for more?” 

In that moment, haloed by the pinks and oranges of the setting sun, Astrid looked like a Valkyrie. 

“Astrid…” he sang, eyes droopy and head loopy. 

“Gobber, he’s incoherent. I think this thing is over.” 

“I thought this fight would be quick but that was…well, pathetic.” He took Astrid’s hand and raised it into the air. “We have our champion! Astrid Hofferson!” 

“Who hoo!” Snotlout’s voice cut over the crowd. “Astrid’s still single!” 

“Don’t even think about it, Snotlout!” 

Hiccup closed his eyes. It was over, and he had his answer. The pain in his face was secondary to the pain in his heart. She truly didn’t care about him the way he wanted. It was so unfair! 

When he next opened his eyes, he was at home, and it was dark out. Toothless warbled, signaling to the chief that he was awake. 

“Did I win?” Hiccup asked. 

“Lad, you didn’t even land a hit.” 

“I wouldn’t kill a dragon, and I wouldn’t hit a girl…unless she was an Outcast or Berserker and she was armed.” 

“Well, regardless, you lost. Sorry about that, son.” 

Hiccup wanted to point out that he was right all along. But being right in this case tasted pretty sour. “Yeah.” He sighed. 

“Here.” Stoick handed him a block of ice wrapped in cloth. “Your gettin’ a real nice bruise. Astrid would be proud.” 

“Of her handiwork?” 

“Exactly.” 

“She didn’t throw the fight,” he said. “She really doesn’t like me.” 

“Well, I think there’s more to this than there seems…” 

“No! Dad, I gave her an opportunity to tell me what she thinks of me, and she made it clear. I don’t know how much clearer it could be!” His voice broke, a sign that tears were on the horizon. He tossed the ice on the table. “I…I need some air.” 

“You shouldn’t go flying,” the chief scolded softly. “Not with a head injury.” 

“‘Kay, I’m just going to sit out by the cliff. Look at the stars, contemplate my existence. You know, boy stuff.” 

“Are you going to put on a shirt? Or are you intending to freeze to death?”  

“I’m intending to freeze to death,” he confirmed. 

“I see. Just be careful.” 

“I will, dad.” And he flung the door open, only to find Astrid standing on the other side, hand raised to knock. 

“Oh! I was just coming to check on you…you okay?” 

“Peachy.” He shrugged, moving past her. 

“Look, Hiccup…” 

“You don’t have to say a thing, alright?” He held his hands out to keep her back. “Let’s just pretend this didn’t happen, okay? Of course I’ll still make you the weapons promised, but the rest of it…just forget it.” 

“Nuh uh.” She shook her head, taking a step closer. “Hiccup Haddock, you owe me an explanation.” 

Hiccup exhaled loudly, and opted to turn and start walking towards the cliff. 

Astrid silently watched, and then followed. 

Astrid plopped down beside him, her hand resting close to his, not quite touching, but enough to feel the heat and invite him to instigate the touch. 

“So…who put you up to that? Your dad?” 

Hiccup picked a blade of grass and started pulling it apart. “No…no this one was all me.” 

“What were you thinking?” 

“I…wasn’t. Not really. I just—“ he paused, not really wanting to say the rest of the truth. Did he really want to rehash this over again? 

“Did you really want to be betrothed to me?” She needled. 

He picked another blade of grass, not looking at her. “Yep.” 

“Why?” 

Gods, she picked the toughest question. Well, he had the answer, it was just the hardest to say out loud. 

“Because that’s where I get really mad,” she continued. “You’re going to be chief eventually, and you need a wife and heir, I get that. So, did you just want to pick the best warrior in the village? Or get me before Snotlout can try to trick my parents into a contract? Or was I simply convenient for you? Why, Hiccup?” 

He pulled his mouth into a tight line. 

“Why, Hiccup?” She demanded. 

There was no way out of this. Might as well just tell her and get it over with. He tossed the strips of grass over the edge, then peered to look at her. “Because I love you.” 

Her furrowed brow soothed as her mouth fell open slightly. “Since…when?” 

“Ugh,” he covered his face. “Since like, forever.” 

“That’s a lie,” She snapped. 

He scoffed. “My dad said it��s obvious, that everyone knows.” 

“Oh? Well nobody else is kissing you on the lips! If they experienced what I feel, they’d know that was a lie!” 

“And what do you feel?” 

The absolute hurt on her face was palpable as she snarled, “You never kissed me back! Kissing you is like kissing a wall!” 

He gasped. “My dad was right!” 

She blinked several times. “Excuse me?” 

“Oh gods, this is all my fault!” He staggered to his feet and started pacing. 

“Wait, now I’m confused. What was your dad right about?” 

“That you didn’t—that I—that we—!” 

Astrid also got to her feet and went to him, realizing he was hyperventilating. “Hey, hey…take a breath there, pal.” 

He sighed. “Astrid, I’m sorry I never kissed you back, or initiated anything. I definitely would have, but…I didn’t know if I was allowed to.” 

She frowned. “What do you mean?” 

“I mean, you’re Astrid! You do what you want! I didn’t know what the kisses meant. And just last week you said you were only trying to boost my self esteem.” 

She groaned. “I only said that because you never kissed me back, so I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable! I thought you didn’t like it!” 

“Didn’t like it?!” He laughed incredulously. “Astrid, when you told me you weren’t going to kiss me anymore, I was so devastated. You could have told me the sun was going out and I wouldn’t have been so upset.” He slowly reached out and took her hands. “Those kisses stayed with me on my darkest days, and encouraged me to go onward. So many times, I thought ‘maybe this will be worthy of a kiss’. They…they knocked me out. Overwhelmed me. Honestly, I was just always so frozen.” He rubbed his head. 

“Why didn’t you just tell me? Why did you have to brawl with me?” 

He barked a sad laugh, “did you know I have self esteem problems?” 

“They’re better now!” She insisted. 

“They were, until the girl I loved basically told me she doesn’t love me.” 

“I did not!” 

“You said you were only doing it to raise my self esteem! And you just said so earlier when you thought I didn't like you!” 

“Ugh!” She stomped her foot. “Hiccup, we are going in circles here! I was trying to encourage you and reward you for doing the right thing and I decided to do it with a kiss because I love you! There! Clear as mud?!” 

“You…love me back?” 

“Yes!” She shouted, exasperated. 

“Then…do you want to get married at some point?” 

“Sure! I’d love to!” She shouted again, with just as much frustration spilling out. She threw her arms up. 

Hiccup started smiling. “So…you aren’t mad at me anymore?” 

“Oh I’m mad!” She snarled. “I’m mad because you didn’t just talk to me! You’ve always been so honest. You’ve always spoken your mind to me! Why was this so different?”

He sheepishly raised his shoulders. “You know, maybe I would have eventually, but Gobber and my dad figured out something was wrong and wrestled it out of me. Then dad said you probably wanted a grand gesture…and there was something about how women speak their own language…I wasn’t thinking clearly, I’ll admit. But…I thought you’d appreciate it?” He squeaked. 

Astrid looked at him flatly. “You thought I’d appreciate it?” 

“Yes! The chance to throw the fight if you wanted me, or punch me in the face and win some swords if you didn’t! No embarrassment, you look good either way!” 

She sighed. “Hiccup, I would never throw a fight. I’m incapable of it.”

“Oh…yeah, I should have thought about that.” 

“Was that your first ‘grand gesture’ you thought of?” 

“Oh no, of course not. But the first ones were a little too impersonal.” 

“Like…?” She hinted. 

“Like bringing you a big bouquet of flowers, or writing poetry, or something cheesy. I didn’t want to do anything that could be used on another girl. I wanted to do something for you. Maybe I should have given it another week of thought.” 

She smiled at him. “Well, when you say it like that, I get it.”

“That’s a relief.” 

The animosity in the air seemed to just fizzle, as the truth was laid bare. No more secrets, no more uncertainty, everything was out in the open. “So now what?” Astrid shrugged. “Do we go talk to my parents?” 

“In a minute, I have something important I have to do first.” 

“Oh yeah?” She shuffled closer to him. 

“Yeah…” 

Since when did this height difference happen? He was looking down at her, and she had to tilt her head to look at him. 

He placed his hands on her waist, drawing her closer. Then he slid his hands over her back, feeling her body under his fingertips. 

Her hands rested on his bare chest. “Aren’t you cold?” 

“Not remotely,” he whispered, leaning in. 

Finally, finally he kissed her. His lips just laid upon hers, savoring the softness. He was going to enjoy this. He was going to take his time. 

She pulled away with a tiny smack. “That was ni—” 

He kissed her again, tilting his head to deepen the kiss. 

Astrid inhaled sharply, before sliding her arms up around his neck and burying her fingers in his hair. He nipped at her lips, stumbling to figure out how it all worked, but letting passion and instinct drive him. 

Finally, he pulled away, looking down at her. “I need some practice,” he said honestly. 

She smiled, playing with his fluffy tufts as she gazed up at him in adoration. “Whenever you want, I’m game.” 

“Maybe you should help me practice my brawling, too. Gobber said my performance was pathetic.” 

“I’d be careful with that one,” she said, her voice low. “If I pin you, we might have something else to worry about.” 

He chuckled, his face warming with a blush. “Works for me!” 

[a-noone]

Klingon Teeth

It's astonishing to me how difficult it is to find information about the connection between the morphology of teeth and diet. Largely because it is clogged up by people arguing over the 'natural' human diet.

The reason I am interested in it is because Klingon biology doesn't make any sense, and I'm trying to think about how I might redesign them, If I were to do that.

Of course, up until recently, "Klingon teeth" were just dirty, gappy, and had inflamed gums, like maybe Klingons didn't have dentistry. Even Michael Dorn, playing Worf, did not consistently wear tooth prosthetics unless we were meant to feel disquiet at his alienness.

As with Spock's bowl cut, Klingon tooth grime is apparently genetic?

But with Discovery, we suddenly had a thesis about Klingon teeth, and while it looked cool, it honestly makes no sense to me.

Oops all molars?

These teeth are carnassials, used like scissors, to cut and shear meat. But oddly, Klingons lack front canine teeth, which would be used for holding onto prey so that it doesn't escape.

Rather, their teeth seem to suggest that they did a whole lot of shearing of flesh and not a lot of capturing. Anyone who has a cat or dog has probably observed the other purpose of these specialized molars -- crunching on bones. That purpose, however, requires the chomping power and leverage that you can't really get if the carnassial-style tooth is a front tooth.

I'm not going to make too much of the small fructivore-shape mouths, because, of course, Klingons are played by human actors, and there's only so much you can do.

I will ask, however, whether the shape of Klingon teeth is actually fixed, or whether they might continuously grow, requiring sharpening, cosmetic shaping, and filing.

If your teeth are not continuously growing, you wouldn't file them like that. In fact, if Klingons do have constantly-growing, peg-like teeth that they style with tooth-filing devices, as shown, it suddenly makes the inconsistency of Worf's teeth not an inconsistency any more than a change in facial hair.

Also, Klingons evolved from this:

Both this form-factor, and the Klingon pain rituals, indicates that the animal Klingons evolved from had a "hunker down, don't move, don't flinch, and wait for the predator to leave" survival strategy.

The most similar Earth animal to that Klingon predecessor?

[spaciebabie]

I think more fitting name for you would be Car or something else on C. OOHHHH I wanted to joke about Chilchuck fitting you but it's actually kinda does, so swag

My teeth and dentistry collection:

Most stuff made out of gypsum including the skull, only real teeth are in little jar, they are milky teeth(child teeth?) And in big jars there are those prosthetics people wear!!!!

OOOOOHHH THATS SO SICK PICKS UP THE JAR AND SHAKES IT AROUND EHEHEHEHEHHEHE

[monstersandmaw]

Orcs with broken-off tusks who see it as some kind of major blemish and have prosthetic caps installed just to keep them sharp-looking. orc dentistry is a major business

Orcs (and trolls) are known for being quite the best dentists, and prosthetic tusks have over time become statement pieces, collectors' items, and objects of art and beauty.

[akamikazae]

tagged by the lovely @lemony-snickers ❤︎₊ ⊹ List 5 things you can talk about for hours without preparing any material:

-Serial killers, Cults  — especially from the investigative/psychology side  -Film/tv—  the process, fun facts, directors, etc (ATLA, LOTR, GOT) -Forensics/pathology— death in general (I always loved morbid stuff) decomposition, statics, dentistry, anthropology, art, all of it  -Makeup — everything from prosthetics to a full beat ₊ ⊹   -Art — artists, art history- I could talk about anatomy alllll day, and materials too, I do not shut up about pigments and fixatives, don’t get me started on paper. 

tagging @amikotsu @fountainpenscribbles @tired-biscuit @aether-link ~ no pressure of course! and tagging anyone else that sees this and would like to join! ⟡⋆˙

[aimp9digital]

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Dental Implant Training Courses

Introduction:  

In the ever-evolving field of dentistry, staying abreast of the latest advancements is paramount to success. Dental implant procedures have become increasingly popular due to their efficacy in restoring smiles and oral functionality. Consequently, dentists keen on expanding their skill set and offering these services seek comprehensive training courses. However, with a myriad of options available, selecting the right dental implant training courses can be a daunting task. Fear not! 

This ultimate guide is designed to steer you through the selection process, ensuring you embark on a journey of knowledge acquisition and professional growth. 

Assess Your Current Skill Level: Before delving into the plethora of training courses available, take stock of your current proficiency in dental implantology. Are you a novice seeking foundational knowledge or an experienced practitioner aiming to refine advanced techniques? Understanding your skill level will help narrow down the myriad of courses to those most suitable for your needs. 

Accreditation and Certification: opt for courses accredited by reputable dental organizations and recognized by relevant authorities. Accreditation ensures that the curriculum meets industry standards and that you receive a quality education. Additionally, obtaining certification from recognized bodies enhances your credibility and instills confidence in patients. 

Curriculum and Course Content: Scrutinize the curriculum offered by each training program. A comprehensive course should cover topics such as implant selection, treatment planning, surgical techniques, prosthetic components, and patient management. Look for courses that blend theoretical knowledge with hands-on clinical experience to provide a well-rounded learning experience. 

Faculty Expertise and Experience: Investigate the credentials and experience of the faculty members involved in delivering the course. Faculty members with extensive experience in dental implantology bring valuable insights and practical wisdom to the learning process. Their expertise can significantly impact the quality of education you receive. 

Hands-on Training Opportunities: Practical experience is indispensable in mastering dental implant procedures. Choose courses that offer ample hands-on training opportunities using state-of-the-art simulation models or live patient interactions under supervision. Hands-on experience allows you to apply theoretical knowledge in a controlled environment, enhancing skill acquisition and confidence. 

Continuing Education and Support: Dental implantology is a dynamic field characterized by constant innovation and technological advancements. Select training programs that offer ongoing support and opportunities for continuing education. Access to resources such as webinars, workshops, and online forums enables you to stay updated with the latest trends and refine your skills over time. 

Peer Reviews and Testimonials: Seek feedback from past participants or colleagues who have undergone the training courses you're considering. Honest reviews and testimonials provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each program, helping you make an informed decision. 

Cost and Value Proposition: While cost is undoubtedly a factor to consider, prioritize the value proposition offered by each training course. Evaluate the overall benefits, such as the quality of education, hands-on experience, accreditation, and post-training support, against the cost incurred. Remember, investing in a high-quality education is an investment in your professional growth and success. 

Flexibility and Convenience: Consider the format and schedule of the training courses in relation to your availability and preferences. Whether you prefer intensive residential programs, weekend workshops, or online modules, choose a format that aligns with your learning style and lifestyle commitments. 

Networking Opportunities: Building a professional network within the dental implantology community is invaluable for career advancement and collaboration. Opt for courses that facilitate networking opportunities through interactions with peers, mentors, and industry experts. A robust professional network can open doors to mentorship, referrals, and collaborative ventures in the future. 

In conclusion, selecting the right dental implant training courses is a pivotal step towards advancing your career and delivering exceptional patient care. By assessing your needs, scrutinizing course offerings, and considering factors such as accreditation, curriculum, hands-on experience, and ongoing support, you can embark on a journey of continuous learning and professional excellence. Remember, investing in education is investing in your future success as a proficient and respected dental implantologist. Choose wisely and let your commitment to excellence pave the way for a fulfilling and rewarding career in dental implantology.