This foundation-level program is intended for dental practitioners wishing to develop their theoretical knowledge and practical clinical experience in the treatment planning, surgical placement, restoration and maintenance of dental implants.

Knowledge is developed using distance learning modules and study days with hands-on components. This course is a clinical, multi-system, dental implant course that will enable the participants to make informed evidence-based decisions in their day to day dental implant practice and will train participants to understand the surgical and restore phases of dental implants therapy.

The modules consist of a blended online learning platform based on an internationally recognised curriculum, live lectures to consolidate the online materials and hands-on practical component. The importance of the restorative dentist and a restoratively driven treatment plan in dental implant therapy is emphasised.

The course is divided into three parts:

• The didactic part will be conducted in the form of online learning modules and online lectures via ITI Online Academy; group discussion, review of literature, and case presentations.
• Hands-on workshops will be conducted in the form of demonstrations and laboratory exercises and actual case discussions.
• Surgical and prosthetic demonstrations.

Module 1: Introduction and Implant Treatment Planning

Dates: Friday 29 – Saturday 30 April 2022

Each participant will become familiar with the biologic and biomechanical basis of osseointe-gration, highlighting the interface between the implant surface, bone and soft tissue. The course will discuss the efficacy of CBCT imaging for use in implant dentistry. CBCT applications for implant planning, site assessment and treatment planning will be discussed.

The focus will be on pre-treatment diagnosis and identification of factors relevant to the selection and planning of dental implant patients. Each participant will become familiar with criteria for patient selection and factors that contraindicate care. Specific attention will be given to the categorisation of patients according to the difficulty of treatment. The interrelationship between the members of the treatment team will be detailed and related to maximising clinical outcomes while maintaining practice efficiency.

Each participant will be introduced to the concept of digital implant planning, highlighting the difference between analog vs. digital surgical guide construction.

Objectives:

• Review and become familiar with anatomy and biology as it relates to the placement and restoration of dental implants.
• Describe the interface between bone and currently used dental implants, with emphasis on the interaction between the surface morphology, implant component design and the bone response.
• Describe the biologic reactions of tissues (hard and soft) to surgery during treatment with dental implants with special consideration of healing factors capable of interfering with this process.
• Become familiar with the “team” concept of dental implant therapy, with particular reference to the comprehensive treatment planning of patients.
• Describe and recognise surgical and restorative indications and contra-indications to dental implant therapy as part of an integrated treatment planning process.
• Understand the treatment planning factors associated with dental implants.
• Understanding the construction of radiographic and surgical guide.

Module 2: Surgical Aspect of Implant Therapy

Dates: Friday 24 – Saturday 25 June 2022

The second module is intended to concentrate on a simplified technique for successful placement of dental implants. Surgical field preparation protocol (asepsis and sterility) will be discussed relevant to implant placement. Pharmacological requirements, instrumentation and surgical techniques will be emphasised for the placement and post-surgical maintenance of dental implants. This session will include an overview on surgical considerations for aesthetic implant restorations along with a live surgery to explore the flap design, soft and hard tissue managements, suturing techniques, control of bleeding and actual implant placement.

Potential surgical complications will be discussed along with mechanical and restorative potential complications. Preservation of soft tissue integrity and the blood supply will be discussed. This hands-on approach will advance the cases initiated in the treatment-planning module through implant placement in pig jaw surgery.

Objectives:

• Observe a live surgical implant demonstration on a patient
• Acquire information on site development surgery and prosthetics in the aesthetic zone
• Be introduced to bone grafting manipulation techniques, maxillary sinus augmentation (sinus lift), block graft and guided bone regeneration as part of site preparation for implant placement
• Detailed flap design and suturing techniques will be covered as directly related to dental implant treatment
• Aesthetics and surgical considerations in the dental implant patient will be covered in detail as well as information on single implant restoration
• Perform hands-on training practicing the flap design, osteotomy preparation to place an implant and suturing techniques on pig jaws

Module 3: Prosthodontic Aspects of Implant Dentistry

Dates: Friday 5 – Saturday 6 August 2022

The third module is intended to concentrate on restorative aspects of implant treatment.

Each participant will become familiar with the rationale of cement vs screw retained implant restorations.

The focus will be on various prosthetic components for implant restorative solution. e.g. impression and abutments needed to restore a single implant crown.

Each participant will become familiar with differences and similarities of components of different implant systems. Potential prosthetic pitfalls will be discussed. The hands-on describes a prosthodontically driven approach to planning, preparation and making an analog impression. A systematic workflow with logical steps is advocated to determine choice of implant, impression component and related impression technique. Each participant will be exposed to the potential of CAD CAM restorative solutions for their clinical practice.

Objectives:

• Observe the prosthetic aspect of a live patient
• Determine the method of retention of implant restorations and their rationale of use
• Define analog (conventional) implant impressions
• List the essential requirements of a conventional implant impression
• Select conventional implant impression components and techniques
• Compare and contrast the different systems, prosthetic components and their indications for each case

Module 4: Maintenance and Complications

Dates: Friday 23 – Saturday 24 September 2022

Maintenance of both implant prostheses and peri-implant tissue health are critical to the long-term survival, success, and benefit of implant therapy. This module will discuss the baseline data to be recorded at the time of prostheses delivery against which to compare the condition of implants and prostheses over time. The focus will be on the importance of overall periodontal health for the successful outcome of treatment as well as its positive impact on self-reported quality of life.

Communication to all members of the team is important. Various information such as type of abutments, shade and contour need to be conveyed to the laboratory to achieve the best restorative result.

Objectives:

• Understand the restorative steps for implant delivery and observation on a live patient.
• Aware of potential prosthetic pitfalls.
• List the baseline documentation that needs to be recorded for continuing care.
• Indicate appropriate oral hygiene advice and techniques for implant prostheses.
• Outline the clinical parameters that are required to monitor peri-implant soft tissue health.
• Explain the importance of long-term professional and personal maintenance to avoid biologic complications.
• Explain the concepts of “duty of care” and “ethical obligations”.
• Communicate with the laboratory aspects of implant treatment using written communication and using appropriate components.