Orthodontic and Restorative Collaboration in Managing Complex and Syndromic Patients

Dr. Marcela Hernández

This course highlights the collaborative role of orthodontists and restorative dentists in treating patients with craniofacial syndromes and complex dental anomalies with a focus on cleft palate and syndromic patients.

Through clinical case presentations and evidence-based protocols, participants will explore strategies that integrate contemporary orthodontic approaches integrating creative biomechanical strategies with adhesive dentistry principles and modern restorative techniques. Emphasis will be placed on tooth-preserving techniques, esthetic managing options, and cost-effective treatment planning that supports long-term function and patient satisfaction.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, participants will have the ability to:

• Recognize common dental anomalies in syndromic patients—including congenitally missing or supernumerary teeth, dental transpositions, and atypical dental substitutions—and understand their orthodontic challenges, management and restorative implications.
• Develop a systematic approach to treatment planning and interdisciplinary management of patients with severe dentofacial deformities and craniofacial syndromes
• Collaborate effectively and timely with orthodontists to address esthetic and functional needs on this complex cases
• Support orthodontic treatment goals with restorative strategies designing cost-effective, patient-centered restorative plans that balance long-term function, esthetics, and affordability in these complex orthodontic/restorative cases. 

Conservative, Functional, and Esthetic Solutions to Managing Erosive Tooth Wear (ETW)

Dr. Marcela Hernández

Erosive Tooth Wear (ETW) is a growing concern in modern dentistry, often linked to lifestyle habits, systemic conditions, and dietary factors. Managing ETW requires a thoughtful, interdisciplinary approach that balances risk assessment, preventive therapies and conservation of tooth structure, functional rehabilitation, and esthetic outcomes.

This course provides a comprehensive framework for managing ETW using adhesive dentistry principles. Emphasis will be placed on conservative treatment planning, functional and esthetic restoration, and long-term maintenance strategies.

Participants will explore diagnostic protocols, material selection, and minimally invasive techniques that preserve tooth structure while enhancing clinical outcomes. Real-world cases will illustrate how adhesive strategies can be tailored to individual patient needs, promoting cost-effective care and long-term success.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, participants will have the ability to:

• Identify the clinical manifestations and etiological factors of ETW and understand their impact on treatment planning.
• Apply evidence-based protocols that integrate patient education, preventive strategies, and esthetically driven, patient-centered treatment plans using adhesive dentistry.
• Select appropriate adhesive materials and techniques for tooth-preserving restorations in ETW-affected dentition, balancing functional demands with esthetic goals.

Course Reception 
Course Participants and Families Welcome

Oral Pathology Lesions and Management
Dr. Emily Lanzel

This course will cover common oral lesions/conditions (and not so common, but interesting lesions) and how to manage them in a dental setting.  It will be presented in a case presentation style.  Specific lesions and number of lesions to be covered will be tailored to the target group as determined by group interests and available time. 

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, participants will have the ability to:

• Better diagnose and manage some common oral lesions.
• Ability to prescribe appropriate therapies for common oral conditions.

Oral Pathology Lesions and Management
Dr. Emily Lanzel

This course will cover common oral lesions/conditions (and not so common, but interesting lesions) and how to manage them in a dental setting.  It will be presented in a case presentation style.  Specific lesions and number of lesions to be covered will be tailored to the target group as determined by group interests and available time. 

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, participants will have the ability to:

• Better diagnose and manage some common oral lesions.
• Ability to prescribe appropriate therapies for common oral conditions.

Intra-Oral Scanning: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Dr. David Gratton 

The intra-oral scanner is now central to everyday clinical practice.  Are you and your staff leveraging this technology to optimize your patient's dental healthcare?  Or are you inadvertently incorporating practices that lead to compromised data sets and frustrations for your staff and patients?  Is your practice due for a reset when it comes to intra-oral scanning?

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, participants will have the ability to:

• Perform best practices for straight forward to advanced implant impressions
• Explain from current research the appropriate indications for use, accuracy of, and limitations of intra-oral scanners
• Utilize the intra-oral scanner for optimizing diagnostic, simulation, and communication with your patients

Data Hygiene for Your Clinical Practice
Dr. David Gratton

Gone are the good old days of paper patient records and radiographs you could actually hold in your hands!  Today, the acquisition, sharing, storage, and portability of your patient's data allows for tremendous clinical efficiencies.  However, these newly realized workflows are not without risk.  What steps should a practice undertake to mitigate risk and secure patient data?

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, participants will have the ability to:

• Perform a security audit prior to the purchase of a new technology
• Identify when a Business Associates Agreement is required
• Apply best practices to secure patient data

Fundamentals of Esthetic Implant Dentistry: Planning & Execution Using the Tools Available in Your Dental Practice; and Those You Need

Dr. Brent Ludens 

Esthetic implant dentistry can be a difficult challenge.  But when all members of your implant team are working together, we can all provide care to our patients that can exceed all expectations in a predictable way.  In two sessions, Dr. Ludens will discuss those issues that can impact success both positively and negatively.  Using real world examples and years of clinical experience, attendees will learn those skills necessary to be able to provide this type of treatment with confidence.  Treatment planning using 2D and 3D planning aids, precise positioning of the implant is the first step to success.  Soft tissue management will be discussed in depth to develop an ideal emergence profile that gives valuable feedback to you, the lab technician, and the patient to complete the restoration in a way that is predictable and highly esthetic.  

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, participants will have the ability to:

• Learn what to look for when evaluating the patient with esthetic dental implant needs
• Understand bone volume and proper implant position
• Learn to use treatment planning tools to develop your implant plan and communicate with the implant team
• Learn soft tissue management skills to take the guesswork out of esthetic implant dentistry
• Develop effective laboratory communication skills
• Deliver a quality restoration, the checklist

Master Esthetic Implant Dentistry: Planning, Execution, Soft Tissue Management; a Practical Approach to Improve Esthetic Patient Outcomes

Dr. Brent Ludens 

Esthetic implant dentistry can be a difficult challenge.  But when all members of your implant team are working together, we can all provide care to our patients that can exceed all expectations in a predictable way.  In two sessions, Dr. Ludens will discuss those issues that can impact success both positively and negatively.  Using real world examples and years of clinical experience, attendees will learn those skills necessary to be able to provide this type of treatment with confidence.  Treatment planning using 2D and 3D planning aids, precise positioning of the implant is the first step to success.  Soft tissue management will be discussed in depth to develop an ideal emergence profile that gives valuable feedback to you, the lab technician, and the patient to complete the restoration in a way that is predictable and highly esthetic.  

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, participants will have the ability to:

• Learn what to look for when evaluating the patient with esthetic dental implant needs
• Understand bone volume and proper implant position
• Learn to use treatment planning tools to develop your implant plan and communicate with the implant team
• Learn soft tissue management skills to take the guesswork out of esthetic implant dentistry
• Develop effective laboratory communication skills
• Deliver a quality restoration, the checklist

Dr. Ludens received his D.D.S. in 1990 from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Dentistry.  He went on to receive his certificate in Prosthodontics in 1992 as the University of Iowa, College of Dentistry.  With a private practice specializing in prosthodontics, Dr. Ludens focuses his services around the oral rehabilitation of his patients, emphasizing estethic development in implant restorative care.  He lectures nationally on esthetic aspects in dental implant therapy, biomechanics of the dental implant, as well as new and emerging digital tools to help plan and execute more predictable dental treatment.  He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Iowa Dental Association, and the Waterloo District Dental Society.