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The Modern Restorative Practice

Michael C. DiTolla, DDS, FAGD

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Course Synopsis
All-ceramic restorations continue to make inroads into the overall restorative market at the rate of about 1 to 2 percent each year. In the year 2007, approximately 29 percent of restorations were all-ceramic. In 2010, the all-ceramic share of restorations had risen to 46 percent. Metal-free restorative options include composites, pressed ceramics and cementable all-ceramic products. Each of these metal-free options has a place in current esthetic restorative dentistry. During this course, I will share what I think are the proper indications for each of these materials. We certainly have seen failures in the lab when dentists attempt to push these materials beyond their indications. There are still several clinical situations that call exclusively for the use of PFM restorations, but that list of situations is shrinking.

Course Objectives
After completing this course, the dental professional should be able to:

Recognize the various treatment modalities available to the modern practitioner to help them restore the mouth in an esthetic manner.
Be familiar with the use of more conservative all-ceramic restorations such as no-prep and minimal prep porcelain veneers.
Be familiar with zirconia oxide and the pros and cons of using this structural ceramic material as a crown & bridge substructure.
Be familiar with the new class of cementable all-ceramic restorations, lithium disilicate, and understand how the CAD/CAM milling process can improve consistency and quality.
Learn how to use technology to be able to simply and predictably place your own implants with a surgical guide.
Learn the pros and cons of digital impression taking and see a demonstration of each of the currently available systems.

About Dr. DiTolla
Dr. Michael DiTolla joined Glidewell Laboratories in 2001, after 13 years in private practice. Working in a laboratory setting has given Dr. DiTolla an intimate knowledge of dentists and their crown & bridge habits. He uses this unique perspective to compile case studies, preparation techniques and clinical videos that show dentists how to most efficiently handle everyday dental situations. Dr. DiTolla lectures nationwide on topics ranging from crown & bridge to esthetic dentistry. He also shares his insights as editor-in-chief and clinical editor of Chairside® magazine, published by Glidewell Laboratories. Additionally, Dr. DiTolla has a bimonthly column on restorative dentistry in Dental Economics and is a clinical evaluator for CR Foundation. A 1988 graduate of University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, Dr. DiTolla was awarded Fellowship in the AGD in 1995. Dr. DiTolla was recently awarded the 2011 DrBicuspid Dental Excellence Award for "Most Effective Dentist Educator."

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