Dental CE Course: Critical Soft Tissue Techniques: Role of Periodontal Plastic Surgery in Dentistry

Critical Soft Tissue Techniques: The Role of Periodontal Plastic Surgery in Esthetic & Implant Dentistry

2-Day Hands-On Training Course
Dates: November 6 & 7, 2009

Dental esthetics is dependent on specifically defined relationships between the soft tissue, the teeth or implants, and the underlying osseous scaffold. A critical soft tissue dimension is required for long-term predictable support of the gingival margin, crestal bone and restorative esthetics.

Part and parcel of a thorough dental evaluation today is to determine that gingival phenotype of the individual. Thickness of the gingiva, zone of attached tissue and tissue color all play important roles in developing the long-term health and esthetics in dental treatment of any kind. The exact determination of the location of the underlying bone acts as a prognostic indicator of future soft tissue levels.

Soft tissue grafting techniques, new regenerative materials and bioactivators will be highlighted. The expanding role of allograft materials (Alloderm, Dermis, Pericardium) and when to utilize them will be suggested. The ability of these combined protocols to alter the soft tissue profile around natural teeth, implants, edentulous ridges, as well as to support facial soft tissue structures will be eviewed as to its critical role in “Complete Esthetics”.

This hands-on course will highlight the the 3 most utilized soft tissue procedures in clinical practice, the socket graft, ridge augmentation and root coverage procedures. It will teach in detail and simplify the process of site evaluation, critical anatomy, flap design, harvest techniques and suturing.

All necessary materials will be made available to each attendee; soft tissue models, surgical instruments, graft and suture materials.

In addition, all attendees will receive a CD of all the reviewed and covered procedures performed by Dr. Salama on the same model.

Course Objectives
1. To learn basic Surgical Anatomy and Incision Techniques in Soft Tissue Surgery.
2. To apply 3 commonly used soft tissue grafting techniques in clinical practice.
3. To learn modified suturing methods to secure flaps and grafts.

Hands-On Techniques to be Covered in Detail:
1. Socket Preservation
- Products for filling the socket
- Products for covering the socket
2. Ridge augmentation for pontic & implant sites
- Roll techniques
- Inlay pouch technique
- Onlay technique
3. Root coverage porcedures
- Connective tissue grafts - CTG
- Semi-lunar grafts
- Tunnel techniques

Incisions & Flap Design
A. Sucular
B. Semi Luna
C. Vertical
D. Split Thickness
E. Tunnel Approach

Suturing Techniques
A. Horizontal mattress
B. Vertical mattress
C. Continuous sling
D. Simple Cross