Given the broad range of biomaterials currently available on the market, the decision on what material(s) to best use for hard and/or soft tissue regeneration can be challenging. This workshop is designed to provide a contemporary review of tissue regeneration in the oral and maxillofacial region including an overview of the different classes of materials available (e.g. autogenous, allogenic, xenogenic, and synthetic materials). The advantages, disadvantages/limitations, indications, and application of each material class will be discussed.  

Hands-on exercises will be undertaken on pig jaws to put into practice a number of the presented concepts, including use of xenogenic materials for guided bone regeneration, and managing soft tissue deficiencies. Soft tissue manipulation will also be addressed (e.g. flap design, tension-free primary closure, and suturing techniques).

Key topics that will be covered include:
• Guided Bone Regeneration – scientific basis, indications, limitations, and techniques available 
• Modified socket preservation technique (hands-on exercise using xenogenic materials on pig jaws)
• Guided bone regeneration (GBR) using xenogenic materials and stabilisation pins (hands-on exercise on pig jaws)
• Techniques for increasing soft tissue volume (hands-on exercise using volume stable collagen matrices on pig jaws)

This course is designed for practitioners with an interest in expanding their treatment concepts for bone and soft tissue regeneration.