Maintaining the natural dentition remains a key goal in dental therapy. However, the trend has been to remove teeth that could possibly be saved with periodontal therapy, specifically using regenerative technologies. Advances in the development of biomaterials and surgical techniques have significantly changed the prognosis of single and multi-rooted teeth presenting with severe intrabony and furcation defects.

Key issues to increase the rate of success in regenerative periodontal surgery is the choice of the regenerative material and surgical technique along with optimal management of the soft tissues. Different periodontal phenotypes and different defect anatomies require specific regenerative strategies. Advances in the application of minimally invasive surgery has greatly improved the clinical ability to obtain high quality outcomes with reduced patient discomfort. This program will address the application of advanced regenerative procedures to intrabony and furcation defects to increase the probability for tooth retention during a long-term follow-up period

The predictability and long-term success rate of dental implants are well documented in the literature. Nevertheless, complications and failures do occur and can have a significant impact on overall treatment. Peri-implantitis is one of the most common biological complications affecting functional implants. Even though the exact causes of peri-implant diseases is the bacterial biofilm, numerous factors may increase the risk of developing peri-implantitis. Risks may be reduced and even eliminated if some related factors are controlled. This lecture will discuss risk indicators to identify susceptible patients so that a customized treatment plan can be provided for each patient, depending on the relevant needs. Also, it will evaluate common problems encountered with the restorative phase providing an understanding of how and why problems exist and ways to reduce them.

There is mounting evidence regarding the bi-directional link between periodontal disease and Alzheimer's Disease. Within the Alzheimer’s Disease research field there is a growing consensus for the need to identify upstream causation events prior to the irreversible pathological changes in the brain. Among the putative mediators are the potential role of translocation to the brain of periodontitis-associated pathogens, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, and their products. The basic clinical criteria for Alzheimer’s Disease as well as other common neurodegenerative disorders will be highlighted in this perio-systemic program. The program presentations will cover the current and future therapeutic landscapes and practical adjustments for periodontists when treating individuals with memory and other cognitive disorders.

Program Track: Treatment of Periodontal Diseases and Peri-Implant Diseases 

Course Description: Peri-implantitis is a dental plaque (biofilm)-associated, inflammatory, pathologic condition involving tissues around dental implants. Insight into the immunologic and histopathologic changes occurring during disease progression will be presented. The critical elements in the customization of therapy for peri-implant disease including defect morphology, implant position, and soft tissue characteristics will be discussed. 

The American Academy of Periodontology is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP.

The AAP cautions participants for this CE activity about the potential risks of using limited knowledge when incorporating new techniques and procedures in their practice.

Program Track: Tissue Engineering and Hard Tissue Reconstruction 

Course Description: Maxillary sinus augmentation for posterior maxillary implant reconstruction and guided bone regeneration are often predictable surgical procedures to help facilitate optimal dental implant placement. Although complications are uncommon, some result in total graft failure with potentially serious consequences. Emphasis of this course will be placed on etiology, recognition, and prevention of sinus graft infections and hard tissue reconstruction failures. This clinical presentation will further discuss managing these complications and will include a detailed surgical, CBCT and medical approach to address these unwanted scenarios. 

Program Track: Treatment of Periodontal Diseases and Peri-Implant Diseases

Course Description: In managing the intrabony defects associated with peri-implantitis lesions, the clinician is often faced with tortuous, complex defects. Given that the vast majority of peri-implantitis sites (79%) displayed a combined defect configuration, combination therapy was introduced to treat sites with advanced peri-implantitis. A multiplicity of treatment approaches exists in terms of decontamination, stabilization and regeneration. Both degranulation and implant surface decontamination are essential for successful treatment of periimplantitis. Different approaches to both decontamination and treatment will be explored. This presentation will explore the unique properties of the Erbium wavelength in preparing both the implant surface and the osseous intrabony defect for regenerative therapy. Applicable literature will be reviewed as well as case studies demonstrating case selection, technique and materials. Additionally, implantoplasty, mechanical modification of the implant surface, will be discussed in great detail, both at implant sites where bone regeneration may not be expected (i.e., supracrestally [>1 mm] and buccally exposed implant parts) as well as sites that exhibit regenerative potential. Smoothened implant surfaces have been proven to be less prone to plaque accumulation and thus, re-infection.

The American Academy of Periodontology is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP.

The AAP cautions participants for this CE activity about the potential risks of using limited knowledge when incorporating new techniques and procedures in their practice.

Program Track: Periodontal Plastic and Soft Tissue Surgery

Course Description: Several incision and flap designs (traditional coronally advanced flap (CAF), crestal, lateral and apical tunnel approaches) have been advocated to treat recession and dehiscence defects around teeth and implants. The goal of this point-counterpoint debate is to discuss the pros and cons of each approach and provide clinical tips of how to successfully perform these procedures. Additionally, indications and precautions of each flap design will also be demonstrated and thoroughly debated. Furthermore, the long-term stability of the quantity and quality of the grafted tissue after these procedures will also be presented.

The American Academy of Periodontology is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP.

The AAP cautions participants for this CE activity about the potential risks of using limited knowledge when incorporating new techniques and procedures in their practice.