Date: March 7 & 8, 2025 Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM CE Credits: 16 Instructors: Dr. Leavitt & Dr. Wong When it comes to replacing missing teeth, patients desire a predictable, long-lasting, esthetic solution. Dental implants have become the standard of care for meeting these needs, but successful implant therapy requires a solid foundation. When teeth are lost due to disease, infection or trauma, bone quality is often compromised. This course will focus on proper planning and execution of predictable bone grafting techniques to restore a patient’s smile and function with dental implants. Principles of soft tissue management around implants, including flap design, suture techniques, use of membranes and papillae maintenance, will also be presented. Objectives: Understand the parameters of true implant success Review the effects of tooth extraction on bone loss and what socket grafting can do for patients A “turn-key” review of various biomaterials for grafting situations Discuss atraumatic extraction techniques The potential of piezosurgery in extractions and bone grafting Introduction to three types of sockets and how to graft them Review basic soft tissue management for incision/flap design and “must-have” suturing techniques Discuss the vital elements to predictable guided bone regeneration Choosing a barrier membrane Discuss the various ridge augmentation modalities and their potentials Discuss the challenges and techniques to overcome vertical bone loss Introduction to the role of growth factors and L-PRF to enhance surgical technique and results Management of common surgical complications How to avoid creating soft tissue defects during implant surgery Discuss the importance of soft tissue thickness and biotype around dental implants How to properly uncover an implant Managing the soft tissue with provisional restorations Accurate impression-making for ideal implant crowns Post-operative management Tips for the dental and business team in your office Includes a hands-on and live surgical demonstration. Participants will practice grafting techniques in a hands-on exercise utilizing pig jaws, following faculty demonstration. A live patient surgery demonstration on extraction and socket grafting will also be presented. Breakfast and lunch will also be provided.
