Soft Tissue Course

This course is designed to give dentists the information needed to make a proper diagnosis of a mucogingival defect, formulate a treatment plan and perform the procedures he or she feels confident performing. Indications and contraindications of free gingival grafts and connective tissue grafts will be given. Other soft tissue management covered will include incision design, partial vs. full thickness flaps, and various suturing techniques. The format will consist of lecture, hands on laboratory exercises on dry models and pig jaws. Live surgical observation in our brand new, state of the art teaching center are now a part of the course.

Bone Grafting Course

This course is designed for dentists who have mastered socket preservation and are looking to expand their bone grafting techniques. Diagnosis and treatment planning will be covered along with indications and contraindications for each type of graft. Preventing and treating complications will also be covered. Techniques to be covered include: autogenous block grafts, block allografts, sinus bump as well as the lateral window technique for sinus lifts. Live surgical observation will be included but not guaranteed for every single procedure. There will be at least one surgery per day. Hands on exercises will include outlining the external oblique ridge for an autogenous block harvest and performing a block allograft on a model and a lateral window sinus lift on a model.

The classroom will be arranged to allow for social distancing, we will provide individually packaged breakfast and lunch, and attendance will be limited. Our entire teaching center will be thoroughly cleaned for a safe environment for continuing education.

Course Objectives

Soft Tissue Course

Understand Miller's Classification of recession defects
Describe the difference between free gingival grafts and connective tissue grafts
List factors that affect predictable root coverage for periodontal plastic surgery
Understand how to perform an internal vertical mattress suture
Describe indications and properties of various suture materials
Hands-on lab portion includes detailed step-by-step instructions on performing a free gingival and connective tissue graft

Bone Grafting Course

Understand the keys to bone grafting
Describe the properties of different bone graft materials and membranes
Appreciate surgical anatomy related to each bone graft procedure
What CBCT anatomy to look for prior to each bone graft
Classify easy, moderate and difficult bone graft cases.
Know when to refer!
Describe a sinus graft protocol of when to do a bump vs. lateral window.
Know when to use growth factors (PRF and rhBMP2)
Describe when to choose an autogenous block vs. a block allograft.
Hands-on lab portion includes detailed step-by-step instructions on performing a block allograft and lateral window sinus lift

Course Topics

Soft Tissue Course

Free Gingival Graft
Connective Tissue Graft
Socket Preservation including choosing an appropriate type of bone graft and membrane

Bone Grafting Course

Ridge Augmentation
PRP/PRF and Infuse
Block Grafting
Sinus Grafting