COURSE OVERVIEW:

Due to their reliability, implants are a viable solution for a variety of cases ranging from single tooth restorations to full mouth rehabilitation. Due to alveolar ridge defects, tooth extractions or previous restorations the soft tissue appearance is often compromised. Knowledge of esthetics, bone grafting, gingival grafting and precise implant placement is essential to achieve an implant restoration that is indistinguishable from the natural dentition. The multiplicity of techniques which must be mastered to obtain natural looking implant restorations will be shown in lecture. These include site preservation techniques at the time of extraction, bone augmentation, soft tissue development and proper restoration. Full thickness flap designs unveil their limitations when additional vertical or horizontal volume should be gained or if extended augmentation areas should be covered by soft tissue. The knowledge of soft tissue management and the ability to choose the right surgical soft tissue procedure in a given situation creates the foundation for an outstanding prosthetic restoration. This course will elucidate the variety of treatment alternatives and techniques that must be drawn upon to achieve esthetic success.

• Fundamental understanding of soft tissue biology.
• How to place implants in the esthetic zone.
• How to achieve soft tissue coverage after tooth extraction or immediate single-implant placement.
• How to maintain and optimize keratinized gingiva around implants and teeth.
• How to optimize or regain soft tissue thickness.
• How to secure primary closure of extended ridge augmentation procedures with soft tissue by split-thickness flap designs.

Course Outline:

• Parameters for dental – implant – gingival esthetics
• Dental gingival harmony – blending teeth with implants
• Esthetic crown lengthening and the management of the gingival interface
• Site preservation and development
• The use of barrier membranes – resorbable vs. non-resorbable
• Augmentation at the time of surgery
• Gingival grafting augmentation techniques: FGG, SCTG, Alloderm
• The use of temporary healing abutments to “grow” gingiva
• Treatment planning for papilla success
• Provisionalization for esthetic success

BIOS:
Dr. Christian Stappert, DDS, MS, PhD, Director of Aesthetics and Periodontal Prosthodontics, Ashman Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, Department of Biomaterials and Biometrics, New York University College of Dentistry. He is a board certified Prosthodontist and Associate Professor of the Department of Prosthodontics,Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Germany, where he received the ‘venia legendi’ (Priv.-Doz.) after continuous clinical and biomaterial research. Professor Stappert is cross-trained in Periodontal and Implant Surgery. He is the author of several peer reviewed publications, editorial board member and reviewer of various dental journals.

Dr. Michael Sonick, DMD, Former Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine; Guest Lecturer for CDE International Programs at New York University College of Dentistry; Editorial Board for Compendium of Continuing Dental Education, Functional Esthetics and Restorative Dentistry, Inside Dentistry, Dental XP, and Journal of Implant and Advanced Clinical Dentistry; Founder and Director of Fairfield County Dental Club and Sonick Seminars; Member, American Academy of Periodontology; Private Practice of Periodontics and Dental Implants, Fairfield, Connecticut.