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Scientific Programs

Main Podium Programs

  • Fundamentals of Smile Design
  • Managing Patient Expectations through Prototype Development

Brian LeSage, DDS, FAACD

The challenge of the missing maxillary anterior tooth is recreating the harmony and balance of the white and pink surroundings of the remaining natural dentition. Osseointegration happens, esthetics needs to be created. Smile design principles will be broken down to bring clarity to our every day clinical procedures. Macro and Micro Esthetic principles will be discussed in detail, to aid the clinician in treatment planning dialogue with the surgeon and the technician.

1. Evaluate each patient's smile using white and pink esthetic criteria to gain clarity and a predictable esthetic outcome.

2. Emphasis will be in understanding pink esthetic paramaters and how these will guide the implant team in treatment planning, placement and prototype fabrication.

3. Discussion will include "prosthetically generated" papillae- is ts a reality?

  • Defect Management and Surgical Planning
  • Site Development and Esthetic Placement Principles

Nicholas Caplanis, DMD, MS

Achieving optimal peri-implant esthetics can be extremely challenging especially in those patient situations where compromised periodontal biotypes or pre-existing soft or hard tissue deficiencies are present. In addition, patient expectations of cosmetic dental procedures often exceed what is predictably achievable. This presentation will present practical guidelines that can be easily used in day to day clinical practice in order to help maximize peri-implant esthetics. Basic soft and hard tissue reconstruction procedures will also be discussed to address pre-existing deficiencies. Treatment algorithms will be outlined to help guide the clinician to choose the various procedures and techniques to predictably meet patient expectations and understand the current treatment limitations for these challenging cases.

Modern Esthetic Dental Materials and Techniques Used in Esthetic Implant Dentistry

Edward McLaren, DDS, MS

Topics will include:

1. Techniques for proper shade selection

2. Photographic tips

3. Zirconium abutments: properties, dos, don'ts

4. How to adjust without compromising strength

5. All ceramic restorations: E-max, Lava, Zirconium core, feldspathic and lithium dioxide porcelains

6. Cementing, bonding, and temporizing all ceramic implant restorations

7. Cad Cam-milling technology

Occlusion - The Overlooked Ingredient for Esthetic Success

Philip Kroll, DDS, MAGD

Occlusion is an often overlooked element in dental prosthetic fabrication yet essential if dentists desire long term functional success! This lecture will define the fundamental pillars to stable occlusion along with the strategies for designing long lasting occlusion for implant prosthesis. It will discuss Anterior occlusion in the Esthetic Zone as well as the challenges of designing ideal occlusion for implants.

The participant should be able to:

1. Define the four determinants of Occlusion

2. Understand the unique roles of Anterior vs Posterior occlusion

3. Know how to determine and build the correct incisal edge

4. Understand the unique requirements of occlusion for implants vs natural teeth in the esthetic zone.

Case Presentations

Concepts for Achieving and Maintaining a Stable Esthetic Result

William Liang, DMD

There are many potential cuasative factors for the short and long term loss of crestal bone and marginal gingival height around a dental implant supported restoration.

In this case presentation, Dr. Liang will review the rationale for the combination of platform switching, sub-crestal implant positioning and the significance of mechanical stability of the implant to abutment connection in achieving and maintaining soft and hard tissue peri-implant health.

Soft Tissue Sculpting with Esthetic Implant Provisionals

Matthew R. Young, DDS

Implant dentistry encompasses surgical, restorative and laboratory components. It is critical for all three to function together for an optional result. It is imperative that the surgeon properly manage the surgical site, the restorative dentist to guide the hard and soft tissue with a properly fabricated provisional restoration and subsequent definitive restoration and the laboratory to fabricate a high quality restoration. Fabrication of an ideal provisional restoration is essential to obtain optimal results in the Esthetic Zone.

This lecture will focus on properly planning aesthetic cases, current literature, communication of the implant team and practical procedures for the fabrication of provisionals and definitive restorations. This lecture is meant for the entire implant team.

Learning Objectives:

  • Soft Tissue Surgical Implant Management
  • Implant Restorative Effect on Soft Tissue
  • Guiding Soft Tissue Utilizing Implant Provisionals