Nothing but the tooth at the BACD – Dr Louis Mackenzie
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 14th August 2018
The number of older patients retaining their natural dentition has steadily grown in recent years. Minimally invasive (MI) dentistry has become increasingly popular, as a result of a shift in attitudes towards maintaining the health of natural teeth. As science and technology have advanced within the dental profession, practitioners can now offer treatments that provide optimal function and aesthetics without destroying the natural tooth and surrounding structures.
Dr Louis Mackenzie has become an expert in MI dentistry and claims that direct restorations are usually the most effective method of restoring damaged anterior and posterior teeth. However, he also believes that the accurate shaping of posterior composites and amalgams can be challenging for clinicians, while restoring the complex optical properties of anterior teeth can prove even more difficult.
“At dental school, the teaching of tooth anatomy is usually in the early stages of the undergraduate curriculum,” says Dr Mackenzie. “By the time clinical training begins, what practitioners have already learned about basic tooth shapes may have been forgotten completely. As restoration of function and aesthetics is the foundation of most operative procedures, detailed knowledge and understanding of tooth anatomy can be expected to improve the quality, predictability and enjoyment of planning and carrying out restorative treatment.”
Dr Mackenzie devotes much of his time to helping other clinicians enhance their skills in minimally invasive concepts. He works as a General Dental Practitioner (GDP) in Birmingham, and is a clinical lecturer at both the University of Birmingham’s School of Dentistry and King’s College, London.
Dr Mackenzie is also a highly experienced postgraduate lecturer both nationally and internationally, often focusing on MI dentistry, as well as direct and indirect restorative techniques. He runs a series of hands-on courses designed to help clinicians gain a practical understanding of complex procedures. In addition, Dr Mackenzie is a member of Dental Update’s Editorial Board, is Academy Lead of Birmingham University’s new Masters Course in Restorative Dentistry and is also the Head of Clinical Training at Simplyhealth Professionals.
Dr Mackenzie will be taking the stage to present at this year’s British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) Fifteenth Annual Conference, entitled “The Functional Smile: Start With Why…”. His session will explore “How To Make Fillings Look Like Teeth”, providing detailed practical tips for the easy, predictable shaping of composite restorations.
“Using tried-and-tested techniques, as well as clinical case examples, I will provide step-by-step guidelines to help clinicians plan the accurate restoration of anterior and posterior teeth,” says Dr Mackenzie. “My lecture will also outline the fundamental principles of shape, surface texture and colour that will enable delegates to optimise all clinical stages of direct anterior aesthetic restorations.”
Dr Mackenzie is confident that delegates will be able to demonstrate their understanding of the fundamental anatomical features of anterior and posterior teeth by the end of his session. He also believes that delegates will be able to refine their practical skills in:
- Freehand shaping of class I and small class II composite restorations
- Systematic shaping protocols for complex posterior composite restorations
- Fast, efficient techniques for carving large amalgams, while still applicable
- Placement, shaping and polishing techniques for anterior composites
“Mastering the practical application of tooth anatomy is rewarding for both clinicians and their patients,” adds Dr Mackenzie. “I hope that delegates recognise the common patterns, proportions and relationships present in natural teeth, and be able to apply their knowledge to restorative treatments. Predictable, efficient, enjoyable restorative care requires all dental team members to appreciate the desired functional and aesthetic outcomes.”
The BACD’s Fifteenth Annual Conference will provide the opportunity for delegates to benefit from some of the profession’s most valuable education. Many of the world-class speakers attending this year will be covering a wide variety of topics – from Digital Smile Design (DSD) and chair side fabrication of adhesive fibre bridges, to diastema closure and restoration of implants in the aesthetic zone.
“The BACD Annual Conference is one of the biggest and most popular events of the dental calendar,” adds Dr Mackenzie. “This exciting, educational programme attracts enthusiastic dentists and team members, and is an excellent opportunity for aspiring professionals to interact with colleagues and other like-minded individuals.
“Every year, the BACD invites internationally-renowned experts from various different fields of dentistry, who enjoy presenting to well-informed audiences – all passionate about aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry. The popularity of the Annual Conference also attracts a wide range of manufacturers and distributors who are eager to showcase the latest dental equipment and materials. This outstanding trade show provides excellent support to the BACD’s innovative programme of events.”
Reignite your passion for beautiful dentistry at the BACD Annual Conference – be sure to visit the website today to secure your place at this incredible, three-day event!
The BACD Fifteenth Annual Conference 2018
‘The Functional Smile: Start With Why…’
8th– 10thNovember 2018
Millennium Gloucester Hotel
Kensington, London
For further enquiries about the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry visit www.bacd.com
