Training the next generation

Full-arch implant treatment can transform the life of an edentulous patient, restoring, among other things, mastication and the ability to enjoy the favourite foods they had previously been unable to.

This treatment requires extensive knowledge and skill, something familiar to Dr Tom Murphy. Based at the Precision Implant Clinic in Banbridge, County Down, Tom focuses on complex treatments that dramatically improve a patient’s quality of life. It is an area filled with challenges, with Tom adding:

“For people who are getting into or trying to progress with dental implantology, there is a lack of clearly defined training pathways when compared to more traditional training routes. I believe there is a need to have both the academic knowledge and the clinical hands-on skills to fully appreciate everything within dental implantology – but you certainly won’t get that in a single one-year course. Once you have this blended approach under your belt, then working closely with a very experienced mentor is definitely the key to progressing.”

Tom shares more advice for those looking to enhance their implant treatments:

“I think that excellent implant treatment ultimately starts with good case planning. I’m a big believer that a failure to plan is planning to fail, and I feel a holistic view, of not only the implant treatment, but also the soft tissue and the prosthetics, is required for long-lasting implant success.”

Tom will be presenting a talk, entitled “Full-Arch Workflows” at the ADI Team Congress 2025. He will be joined on stage by Dr Sherlock Chan, with Tom detailing what the two hope to address:

“The talk will start off as an overview for all full-arch workflows, but will then progress to discuss more challenging aspects of full-arch surgery with cases which are of increasingly difficult complexity. We hope that the audience gain a comprehensive understanding of this treatment modality, beginning with the fundamentals and then incorporating more advanced challenges. By showcasing complex cases, we aim to provide practical insights and strategies that practitioners can apply to handle more demanding scenarios in their own practice.

“Sherlock and I have a passion for dental implantology, not only full-arch surgery but also hard and soft tissue grafting and sinus lifts. We share an enjoyment of complex cases and we both hope to impart what we have learned with others, from little tips that can help with straightforward cases to how we approach the particularly difficult ones. We also hope to discuss the ways that we can become aware of potential complications within specific cases and how we best manage these in practice. The session will give attendees a thorough understanding of the full-arch workflow.”

This year’s ADI Team Congress will be Tom’s fifth in attendance. He reflects on his journey over the years:

“I started as a member of the ADI but got increasingly involved; I now lecture on the UCLan Implantology MSc programme and am on the ADI NextGen committee. I love the involvement – I meet a whole variety of people and get to partake in excellent events. The ADI Team Congress, in particular, is unmissable; it is a fantastic opportunity to look at implants from multiple points of view, be that oral surgery, periodontology, prosthetics, and even as a general practitioner. There are so many fantastic speakers who will be covering these areas at the event. The last ADI Team Congress was such a fantastic couple of days, and we are really expecting that this one’s going to be even better.”

Tom’s talk is part of the ADI’s NextGen programme. Led by a dynamic group of dental implant professionals, its mission is to address the evolving demands of clinicians new to the field. The ADI Team Congress will present two other invaluable talks with the NextGen committee – these are essential for young implant professionals looking for support and guidance from some of the discipline’s most eminent dentists.

As well as the diverse spectrum of talks over the three days, the ADI Team Congress is a perfect opportunity for networking. Whether attending the Congress Dinner or the Industry Party, lifelong friendships can be forged amidst this exciting environment, whilst the offerings of hands-on workshops and the extensive exhibition will help dental professionals familiarise themselves with the industry’s latest developments. For an enriching three days of education and fun, head down to the ADI Team Congress 2025.