15 May 2021

OVERJET AND OVERBITE: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE 

Speakers: Dr. Kenneth Lew and Dr. Lai Juen Bin

In Conjunction with World Orthodontics Health Day!

Synopsis: 

One of the biggest challenges in the treatment of adult skeletal malocclusions lies in the fact as to whether the patient’s malocclusion can be satisfactorily treated with camouflage therapy. Cases which were beyond the envelope of discrepancy in Anteroposterior, Vertical or Transverse dimensions would often open up the use of Orthognathic Surgery (OGS) as the preferred choice.

The rise of the digital technology in Orthodontics and the quest for aesthetic appliances has made Clear Aligners (CA) a mainstay in contemporary Orthodontics. What is less common is the use of CA in the preparation of cases for OGS. CA represents a breakthrough in OGS cases as it is comfortable for patients, near invisible and hygienic. It would be an obvious choice of orthodontic appliances before (pre-surgical orthodontic phase) and after (post-surgical orthodontic phase) OGS for patients who wanted minimal disruption to the daily lives while their malocclusion was prepared prior to OGS.

The introduction of digital technology in dentistry has brought along changes in OGS workflow. Orthognathic surgery is one of the surgical procedures that has evolved the most in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. These stages involve data acquisition, data processing and analysis, surgical planning and wafer fabrication. New surgical techniques and innovative protocol such as surgery first protocol enable the surgeon faster, predictable outcomes.

One of the advantages of using CA in OGS cases is the use of Computer Aided Design Software (Clin Check) to simulate teeth movements prior to OGS, the OGS surgical jump and for Post OGS phase. This has allowed precise pre-surgical Orthodontics to be achieved prior to OGS rather than the traditional feasibility model surgery which was at best, a trial-and- error method that occasionally required a couple of models to check pre-OGS orthodontic preparation readiness like decompensation and transverse dimensions.

The use of 3D surgical planning software has enabled complex rotation, pitch, yaw and rollw of maxillomandibular unit to achieve optimal positioning. This would be difficult in conventional stone model surgery. Such complex movements are then translated intraoperatively via 3D printed wafers.

Management of OGS with CA poses unique challenges which vary from the traditional conventional fixed appliances like intra-operative fixation techniques and post-surgical orthodontic finishing will be discussed. The objectives of this presentation is to outline the workflow for the OGS-CA patient.

22 May 2021

1. IMPLANTS IN MAINSTREAM DENTISTRY  

Speakers: Prof. Stephen Chen & Dr. Charlotte Stilwell

Synopsis: Today, dental implants are a proven and predictable means for replacing missing teeth and should be regarded as a mainstream treatment modality in dentistry. In the lectures and the TeaTalk to follow, the incorporation of dental implantology into daily practice will be discussed and demystified. Dentists should be familiar with treatment planning principles that include dental implants as an option, as well as the principles of monitoring, maintenance and identification of complications. Once confident with these principles, dentists may be encouraged to incorporate dental implantology into their everyday treatment protocols, and to take advantage of educational programs designed to enable them to do so safely and predictably.

2. Restorative

Speakers: Dr. Roberto Turrini & Dr. Daniele Gensini

Dr. Daniele Gensini: DIRECT ANTERIOR ADHESIVE RESTORATIONS: AN EFFECTIVE SOLUTION FOR VARIOUS CLINICAL SCENARIOS

Synopsis: Composite resin and adhesive systems have deeply evolved in terms of reliability, longevity, ease to use and chromatic correspondence to various clinical situations. The adhesive procedures nowadays guarantee adequate values of bond strength, both on enamel, and dentin with the result of making the direct approach a predictable treatment option.

This kind of treatment for anterior restorations can solve many different situations in a very conservative way, from decay management to direct veneering, and it’s indicated especially in young patients with good oral hygiene. Pre-requisites for such clinical procedure are a thorough knowledge of materials and techniques as well as a precise analysis of the starting conditions of the patient with impressions, wax-up, radiographic evaluation, substrate study and photographic data collection.

A clear advantage of direct adhesive restorations is represented by the lower cost of therapies in a single appointment without the need of provisionals. The repairability and the minimal invasiveness of the treatment are also to be considered as important assets.

Dr. Roberto Turrini: DISCOLORED TEETH IN THE AESTHETIC FIELD: THE COMBINATION OF BLEACHING WITH DIRECT AND INDIRECT ADHESIVE TREATMENTS

Synopsis: Nowadays clinicians are faced with difficult challenges of covering discoloration which can be quite severe. Currently we can use extremely predictable techniques of dental bleaching, allowing sometimes to avoid the covering discolored elements, achieving excellent results in terms of aesthetics and durability. The choice of extremely versatile products, together with the use of appropriate techniques, facilitates the clinician in cases of discoloration of medium severity. In contrast, in more complex situations, which require changes in shape, color and position, it is possible to use high-performance ceramic materials, in order to perform high aesthetic rehabilitations while using minimally invasive procedures. The choice of ideal ceramic ingot and conveying the real abutment color to the lab are the new challenges we face today: color matching with innovative systems is very crucial, not only for the ingot choice but also in terms of cementation. Especially in the cases of thin restorations.

3. ENDODONTICS WHERE ARE WE NOW? WHAT IS NEXT?

Speakers: Prof. Asgeir Sigurdsson

Synopsis: Prof. Sigurdsson will highlight a good balance between the basic fundamentals of Endodontic treatment and how new advancements can improve the treatment outcome or predictability of non surgical root canal treatments.

23 May 2021

1. DIGITAL DENTURES: THE NEW FRONTIER 

Speaker: Mr Eric Kukucka 

Synopsis: Dentistry has fully embraced the digital age and its integration into one of the oldest treatments in dentistry is proof that it is here to stay. Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) of complete dentures was introduced following the success of CAD/CAM in implant and fixed prosthodontics. CAD/CAM complete dentures have seen exponential growth in the dental market with the number of commercially available CAD/CAM denture systems growing every year. See how you can increase efficiency and predictability for the clinician, the technician, and the patient. Various Workflows will be shown demonstrating both Lab scanning technology as well as the. Current state of intra oral scanning Devices.

Interest in CAD/CAM has also been affected by a reduction in the number of dental laboratory technicians with extensive experience and expertise with traditional fabrication processes. In this webinar, Mr. Eric Kukucka will cover key aspects related to the current status of computer technology for the fabrication of complete dentures and removable partial dentures. In this webinar, you will learn more about the following themes:

Currently one of the most trending and talked about topics in dentistry is Digital Dentures. Although the past is what we build on, and the present is what we deal in, keeping ahead of what's in store for the future is vital to growth, and to staying relevant in an ever increasingly competitive market.

Learning Objectives: 

• Understanding the Digital Denture Process from both a clinical and technical perspective

• Understand Digital communication and unparalleled efficiency of various Digital Denture Workflows.

• Understand The utilization of Smile Design

• Understanding of the current software and hardware required for Digital Denture Success. Review the literature pertaining digital denture processes

• Learn the clinical and fabrication procedures associated with 2 or 3-appointment workflow in order to organize and implement a simplified but high-quality removable prosthodontic service in a contemporary busy dental practice

2. GRAND FINALE - IMPLANTS

Speakers: Dr. Stephen Chu & Dr. Howard Gluckman 

Dr. Stephen Chu: IIPP IN THE ESTHETIC ZONE: WHERE ARE WE TODAY?

Synopsis: Immediate implant therapy for single anterior teeth has become a common treatment modality for clinicians for the past two decades. An overview of where we are today in regards to techniques and implant hardware (design and abutments) will be presented.

Dr. Howard Gluckman: PARTIAL EXTRACTION THERAPIES

Synopsis: The loss of teeth will lead to resorption of the buccal plate with its resultant need for extensive augmentative procedures (both bone and soft tissue) as well as the risk of poor long term aesthetic stability. Partial Extraction Therapies (PET) are techniques that allow us to maintain the buccal bone plate and hence prevent the collapse of the alveolar bone creating a platform for ideal soft tissue and bone which is stable in the long term. This is a greater problem in the aesthetic areas. This lecture will take you through the different options with regards to immediate implant placement as well as the most cutting edge PET in a step by step fashion.