The Academy of Operative Dentistry: 2012 Annual Meeting Program

Academy of Operative Dentistry Program 2012

Monday February 27, 2012

8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.
William H. McHorris, B.S., D.D.S., F.A.C.D., F.I.C.D
"TMD Splints- When, Why & How"

The overwhelming majority opinions of TMD experts in well refereed dental journals agree that reversible conservative splint therapy should precede any irreversible treatments such as occlusal adjustments (equilibration) or invasive restorative procedures. In managing the patient suffering from a TMD problem, the choice of the type and design of occlusal orthotics (splints) is numerous. There are therapeutic splints, prophylactic splints, sleep apnea appliances, anterior positioning splints, full coverage splints and segmental splints.

Some advocates of certain types of splints boast of their ability to cure migraine headaches. This presentation will attempt to simplify the practitioner’s choice of a splint and its effect on the stomatognathic system. Patient compliance is of utmost importance during treatment. If the splint design results in better compliance, resolution of TMD problems can predictably be achieved. The clinician cannot stop patients from bruxing but with proper splint design the patient is put at a mechanical disadvantage and it significantly reduces their ability to hurt themselves during times of bruxing.

9:30 A.M. - 10:30 A.M.
Greggory A. Kinzer, D.D.S., M.S.D
“Managing Esthetics and Tooth Wear”

No single factor has as much influence on the long-term predictability of restorations as the occlusion. This is especially true with the increased use of all-ceramic restorations, and implants. In order to increase the predictability of the restorative treatment and reduce the potential for ceramic fractures, special attention needs to be given to the occlusal design. This presentation will address the envelope of function and discuss the three areas of occlusion that needs to be evaluated for every patient.

This presentation promises to provide practical information that can be taken back to the office and implemented. The information applies to the entire spectrum of restorative dentistry, whether the restoration is a single tooth or an entire arch.

Refreshment Break 10:30 - 11:00 A.M.

11:00 A.M. - 11:50 A.M.
David T. Wong DMD, DMSc – Memorial Buonocore Lecturer
“Saliva: The Next Diagnostic Frontier”

Saliva has long been considered a “mirror of the body” that reflects the state of a person’s overall health. A wide range of systemic diseases, such as diabetes and Sjögren’s syndrome, have oral manifestations that dentists can encounter in patients at various stages of disease development. Dentists are therefore ideally situated to monitor and treat oral disease progression, impaired salivary status, and various oral complications associated with systemic conditions. Advances in the science of salivary diagnostics will lead to identification of disease signature patterns of candidate biomarkers and/or confirmation of genetic susceptibility for some conditions.

The speed and scope of available tests are also likely to increase. As salivary diagnostic applications advance, dentists are encouraged to take leadership roles in integrating the tests and related technologies into clinical practice, consistent with the best available scientific evidence.

1:45 P.M. - 2:45 P.M.
Keith Phillips, DMD, MSD
“Patient Specific Planning for Esthetic Implant Outcomes”

The use of newer technologies such as cone beam imaging and computer assisted treatment planning can help us to better diagnose whether there is an adequate or inadequate situation for the proposed implant restoration. The determined plan can then be carried out with the use of computer generated surgical templates to idealize and simplify the surgical outcome. This presentation will demonstrate how the use of these technologies can help facilitate developing esthetic and functional implant supported prostheses.

2:45 P.M. - 3:15 P.M.
Huan “Todd” Su, DDS, MS
"Clinical implications of implant abutment/crown contour: critical contour and subcritical contour"

Adequately contoured implant restorations need to transition from the circumferential design of the implant head to a correct cervical tooth anatomy. Implant restorations have been described as overcontoured, flat, and undercontoured.

The concept of contour as originally adapted from tooth-supported restorations, needs to be redefined as it pertains to implant dentistry. Two distinct zones within the implant abutment/crown are defined as critical contour and subcritical contour The purpose of this lecture is to introduce the new concept and its impact to the peri-implant soft tissues and its clinical use.

3:15 P.M. - 4:15 P.M.
Jeff J. Brucia, D.D.S.
"Dental Materials Update 2012"

Frustrated with the unexpected failure. Wishing for greater predictability. The continuous changes in adhesive materials and techniques combined with the ever increasing demands for aesthetic restorations has made tooth colored dentistry a must have option for every treatment plan. The numerous choices in adhesive materials has confused the clinician as to what is best indicated in a given situation. Quality care demands continuous learning in the areas of material science and restorative technique.

Tuesday February 28, 2012

8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.
Randall J. Allan, B.Sc., D.M.D. – Richard V. Tucker Lecture of Excellence
“The Aesthetic 7/8 Cast Gold Crown: Oxymoron or Undiscovered Treasure”

This visually based clinical procedure presentation will demonstrate the specific design innovations and modifications, as developed by Dr. Richard V. Tucker, which has given operative dentistry a unique preparation for the restoration of extensively involved maxillary molar and premolar teeth. The aesthetic 7/8 cast gold crown creates less tooth destruction and provides equivalent ( and sometimes superior) aesthetics to conventional full coverage porcelain-fused-to-metal or all-ceramic restorations. The step-by-step procedure for preparation design and the indications for its use will be supported with clinical case examples.

Whereas many clinicians today may consider the term “aesthetic cast gold crown” to be an oxymoron, it is the intent of this presentation to show that through the use of Dr. Tucker’s techniques that is not the case and that, in fact, the aesthetic 7/8 cast gold crown is indeed an undiscovered operative dentistry treasure.

9:30 A.M. - 10:30 A.M.
Lane Ochi, D.D.S., F.A.C.D.
“Understanding Color and Shade Matching in Dentistry”

Color is an integral part of esthetic dentistry. If the color of a restoration is off, the mistake can be glaringly evident and the result is an unhappy patient. Most dental schools do not do an adequate job in teaching color theory. Color theory is a language that conceptually and perceptually describes the elements of color and their interactions. Unfortunately, understanding color is tricky. Slight variances in shade play with our eyes, our minds, and, ultimately, our dentistry. The illumination in the dental treatment room, optical illusions, color blindness, and fatigue are among the dental professional’s ongoing obstacles to successful shade matching. This presentation will attempt to enlighten the dentist and ceramist on the dimensions of color, the effect of metamerism and other phenomenon.

Fluent in the language of color, we can sharpen our perception of color, better understand existing color dynamics, make better predictions, and communicate more clearly about color.

Refreshment Break 10:30 - 11:00 A.M.

11:00 A.M. - 12:00 A.M.
Stephen R. Snow, D.D.S.
“Communicating With Digital Photography: Assessing Accuracy For Precision And Predictability”

Effective communication with restorative dentist, patients, laboratory technicians, and colleagues is critical for successful dental treatment in the contemporary dental practice. The use of digital photography to share visual information is indispensable for clarification and understanding.

Mastering control of the digitization of light is required for precision in the capturing and viewing color. Photography principles and computer strategies must be integrated in a coordinated workflow for repeatable and predictable results.