Our goal as dental professionals should be to maximize the lifetime of our patients’ dentition. Every time tooth structure must be removed with a handpiece, the lifetime of that tooth is reduced.  Conservative dentistry aims to remove as little tooth as possible during restorative procedures in order to better extend the lifetime of each tooth. Adhesive dentistry helps us achieve this goal.  Adhesive dentistry allows us to bond to tooth structure such that minimally invasive preparations may be performed.  The goal of this course is to discuss conservative treatment options as well as the materials and techniques used to perform these treatments.

 

For direct restorations, diagnosis, isolation, caries removal, cavity preparation, use of liner, matrix and wedge placement, bonding technique, composite placement, and finishing and polishing will all be reviewed.  For indirect restorations, this course will discuss how to select, handle and bond contemporary dental ceramic materials.

 

The presentation will be based on current evidence collected at the UAB School of Dentistry as well as the current literature, however, the information will focus on tips that can be applied directly in the dental clinic.

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Course objectives

1. Discuss treatment guidelines for interproximal caries and caries removal endpoints.

2. Discover materials and techniques to promote a long lasting adhesive bond and create a well-adapted restoration.

3. Analyze matrix utilization and contouring instruments to achieve a tight and well-contoured contact.

4. Review the different types of dental ceramic materials

5. Choosing a ceramic material for anterior restorations

6. Preparation and design considerations for posterior crowns and bridges

7. Strategies to adjust, polish and cut off ceramic crowns

8. Review the indications for bonding dental ceramics

9. Present a protocol for preparing the surface of ceramic crowns (ie etching, sandblasting, priming, cleaning)

10. Classify the types of cements used for adhesive bonding

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note: This course can be broken up into 2 half day courses titled "Materials and Techniques for Indirect Restorations" and "Materials and Techniques for Direct Restorations"

Treating high caries risk patients can be both overwhelming and frustrating. The challenge often lies in the sheer number of restorations needed, combined with the imperative to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible. Frustration arises when risk factors remain unaddressed, leading to recurrent caries—even around newly placed restorations. This lecture will cover the diagnosis of caries lesions and provide guidance on appropriate thresholds for intervention. An evidence-based framework for developing an individualized prevention plan will be outlined, along with strategies for arresting caries and promoting lesion remineralization. Finally, the course will explore the use of bioactive materials, both as liners for pulp protection in deep caries cases and as ion-releasing restorative materials designed to help prevent future caries.

 

Course objectives

1. Learn new techniques for diagnosis of caries and thresholds for operative treatment

2. Learn to develop a prevention treatment plan

3. Learn how to use silver diamine fluoride and resin infiltration to arrest caries

4. Learn clinical application of bioactive pulp capping materials and restorative materials

Discoloration of anterior teeth can result from a disruption in mineralization of the forming tooth or from the process of caries on the formed tooth. Both dysmineralization and white spot lesions may be an esthetic concern for many patients.  Resin infiltration and microabrasion are 2 different conservative treatments for these discolorations. This lecture will review clinical tips for case selection for both types of treatment as well as the steps to perform both techniques.   

 

Course objectives

1. Review the clinical signs to determine which cases will have the best chance for success with microabrasion or resin infiltration

2. Review the clinical steps to perform microabrasion and resin infiltration

3. Present clinical cases with both treatments