Complementing the educational programmes at the ADI Team Congress 2019 were Corporate Forums, where dental implant-related product suppliers invited professionals to discover the latest innovations in their portfolios.

Sessions were run by Bredent, BioHorizons, Dentsply Sirona, EthOss, Geistlich UK, Implantium, Nobel Biocare and Straumann Group, with each offering information and guidance to help delegates get the very most from their solutions.

About the Corporate Forums, delegate dentist John Clydesdale said:

“These were great Corporate Forums. It was excellent to hear directly from the industry leaders.”

For more information on the ADI and all upcoming educational opportunities, please visit www.adi.org.uk

ADI members enjoy significantly reduced rates for many educational events, join online today.

At the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show in May, the Implant & Advanced Dental Education Theatre featured an array of sessions offering insight into the very latest ideas, systems and technologies in the field.

Following Richard Moore and Sami Stagnell’s session, Unity O’Neill, dentist from Springfield Road Dental Practice, commented:

“This was a very informative presentation, which was well-delivered by engaging speakers. I also like that there is a good range of suppliers at this show, with the opportunity to learn about new products and services.”

Siân Jones, principal dentist of Chepstow Dental Care, later commented on Adam Nulty’s session:

“The lecture was informative and entertaining. It provided a good overview of the use of digital treatment planning that will help me in practice.”

The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show, co-located with DTS.

 2020 Dates: 15^th– 16^thMay NEC Birmingham

For all the latest information on the next event, visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5270 or email dentistry@closerstillmedia.com

Dr Karl Walker-Finch from Lindley Dental Centre, Huddersfield, shares his experience of the PG Cert in Implant Dentistry from Ucer Education.

“The course was brilliant. The speakers, especially Professor Ucer and Dr Shakeel Shadad, explained everything step-by-step and offered exemplary guidance and support.

“Upon completion, I gained a Level 7 qualification issued by Eduqual. In this day and age, the formal certificate gives you confidence in the quality of training you’ve received and allows you to demonstrate that you’ve taken adequate steps to develop your skills.

“This course really laid the foundations I needed with a strong evidence-based and ethical grounding to my implant dentistry. It offers a practical foundation of knowledge and skills and inspires dentists to deliver excellent treatment for their patients.”

For more information on the PG Cert in Implant Dentistry from Ucer Education – supported by Geistlich, Megagen, Neoss, TRI Implants and General Medical – please visit www.ucer.education call 0161 237 1842

The Association of Dental Implantology (ADI) once again ensured that dental nurses and practice managers alike had lots to think about with its Nurses’ & Practice Managers’ Programme at the ADI Team Congress 2019.

Looking beyond the clinical

The highly varied programme this year kicked off with a welcome by moderator Fiona Sandom, quickly followed by the first lecture of the day – an enjoyable and comical talk by Tracy Stuart. Entitled “Your Team is as Strong as its Weakest Link” the session asked delegates to look at the different personality types present in their practices and to remember that there is no such thing as bad people – only bad behaviour.

Between jokes and anecdotes about her own experiences with big personalities, Tracy Stuart addressed the full lecture theatre about the importance of looking to see how emotions and past experiences craft an individual’s behaviour, and why we should all apply this perspective before judging colleagues and patients for their actions.

She then went on to look at the different personality types that we all have as defined by the DISC principle (Direct, Influential, Steady and Compliant). Tracy spent time explaining the main features of these categories and suggesting what challenges individuals with each personality type could pose to a dental team, whether the person is part of the team themselves or a patient.

She also outlined the different types of team that we are likely to have in professional environments – High Potential, Mediocre, Resistant, Dysfunctional and Winning. This was an excellent way to encourage delegates to think about their own teams, as well as how they can better understand their colleagues and any tricky patients on their lists.

Sharon Kirton, a Dental Nurse in attendance commented:

“I really enjoyed Tracy Stuart’s talk – it was very engaging.”

The next session was titled “How Psychology Can Help Improve Patient Communication” by Nicola Southern. A fascinating insight into how psychology can impact daily interactions in the practice, this session provided lots of food for thought for delegates and encouraged them to look deeper into their interactions with others.

Stephanie Finnerson, another delegate, said:

“I found the lecture on psychology very interesting and informative. I shall definitely take what I have learnt and use it in everyday practice.”

A clinical perspective

A short break for lunch and a wander around the exhibition later, and delegates returned to the lecture theatre once more to hear Stuart Kilner’s talk entitled “What Could Possibly Go wrong? And How We Can Avoid It”. This lecture looked at universal problems faced when placing dental implants, including biological complications such as the onset of peri-implantitis, biomechanical issues and prosthetic issues.

Stuart continued his lecture with video testimonials of happy patients after receiving dental implants – showing the emotional impact that successful treatment can have and further highlighting the importance of success in order to keep all parties satisfied.

He then linked the topic back to psychology – indicating that the loss of a tooth has myriad damaging effects on an individual mentally and that dental professionals need to be aware of this when treating patients.

Tools of the trade

Ending the Nurses’ & Practice Managers’ Programme was an interactive session by Peter Gordon. Focused on photography, the session was called “Implant Photography for the Dental Team” and encouraged delegates to learn more about how cameras work and the best way to implement dental photography into their daily workflows.

A varied way to finish the programme, this session combined introductory knowledge, an interactive quiz (that delegates could participate in using their smartphones) and a practical session where Peter encouraged dental nurses to take to the stage to practise what they had learnt in front of their colleagues.

Helen Mercer, a Dental Nurse delegate, commented:

“I really enjoyed the last session about photography. It felt really involved and it was really tailored towards dental nurses and their roles.”

A chance to branch out

Much like previous years, the ADI ensured that dental nurses and practice managers had lots of things to consider and implement within their own practices following the Congress. From delving into personality types and taking a more psychological stance when interacting with patients, to some more clinical aspects and helpful, practical advice, the programme succeeded in encouraging dental nurses and practice managers to get involved every step of the way.

Tsitsi Adamson, delegate Dental Nurse said:

“This is my first visit to the ADI Team Congress and I have found it informative and educational. I feel like you get an understanding of how people do things in their practices and also get to see the bigger picture. I would be very interested in coming back for the next Team Congress as it has been a real eye opener!”

For more information on the ADI and all upcoming ADI events, please visit www.adi.org.uk

ADI members benefit from significantly reduced rates for ADI educational events, join online today.

Nikhil Sethi from Square Mile Dental Care, describes a case showing the treatment of distal caries on an upper first pre-molar…

The Bioclear posterior clear matrix system has been designed to produce a more natural proximal form and allow an injection moulding technique. This case details the approach and rationale of the treatment of distal caries and shows the final result of the successful treatment.

Case presentation

A 42-year-old male patient presented with localised pain brought on by cold liquids and sweet foods lasting seconds only. There were no persistent or spontaneous symptoms. Clinically, the upper left first pre-molar had a grey appearance distally and, under microscope, distal caries was detected. Vitality testing showed an exaggerated response to cold and the bitewing radiograph showed a distal large radiolucency. Distal caries and reversible pulpitis was our diagnosis on the upper left first pre molar. After discussion and presenting the options for treatment, the patient agreed with our preferred plan to clean the affected area and restore with a tooth coloured aesthetic restoration. 

Treatment

The first stage of treatment was to isolate the affected tooth with a rubber dam to ensure a clear field of access and excellent isolation for the adhesive procedure to follow (Figure 1). The dental caries was removed without damaging the adjacent tooth (Figure 2). The margins were then accurately cleaned with polishing strips and ultrasonics, to create a smooth surface to bond to (Figure 3).

Figure: 1

Figure: 2

Figure: 3

The clear Biofit 5.5mm band was placed and secured with a yellow diamond wedge and a yellow Bioclear posterior ring (Figures 4 & 5). The adhesive protocol was then followed for a self-etch technique after selectively etching the enamel with Ultra-Etch phosphoric acid (Ultradent) and washing for 45 seconds.

Figure: 4

Figure: 5

Once this stage was a completed, a small drop of 3M Filtek Supreme XTE Flowable composite in shade A1 was placed on the dentine and allowed to level before 20 seconds of light curing, which was performed to reduce surface tension and improve adaptability for the next increment. As per the Bioclear technique, a small amount of flowable composite was applied at the join of the band and the proximal box, and heated (Figure 5 & 6). Filtek XTE Universal A3 restorative (3M Oral Care) was then placed using the injection moulding technique. This technique is intended to restore the whole cavity in one go. However, the clinician prefers to overflow the composite into the proximal area to ensure no air voids, then carefully remove excess to limit the increment just to the proximal surface, leaving the occlusal for the next increments. This modification of the technique is designed to reduce the stresses of light curing and allow a controlled occlusal layering technique for better aesthetics. A conventional Class I restorative protocol was followed using the same shade to conclude treatment. A very small amount of flowable fissure stain was used to enhance the fissure pattern for increased aesthetics. The dam was removed, the restoration was polished and the occlusion and contacts were checked. The final photo shows the restoration after 1 month (Figure 8).

Figure: 6

Figure: 7

Figure: 8

The patient was very happy with the final result. He was given oral hygiene instruction and advised to maintain regular check-ups with the dentist / hygienist in order to encourage longevity of the restoration and general dental health.

For more information, call 0845 602 5094 or visit www.3M.co.uk/Dental 

Author bio:

Nik Sethi qualified from King’s College London in 2009. He has a Master of Science degree in aesthetic dentistry, also at King’s College London.

 Nik is an associate member of the British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry and is regularly featured in Dentistry Magazine, writing a series of articles aimed at educating younger dentists. Nik also has extensive experience with treating children and nervous patients, and through working closely with our implantologist and orthodontist he is able to provide a comprehensive range of restorative treatment to the highest standard.