Course breakdown

At what point do we classify a tooth as unrestorable? If caries is subgingival? If there is a vertical fracture line? After an oblique cusp fracture? Whatever it is that determines the restorability of the tooth, we ideally want to stave off the often inevitable extraction and implant for as long as possible. After all, there is no better implant than an actual tooth.

This lecture will present the concept that minimally invasive adhesive dentistry carried out under rubber dam isolation has the potential to hit the pause button on the perpetually advancing restorative cycle. Rubber dam isolation enables access that would otherwise be impossible while adhesive dentistry techniques such as deep margin elevation facilitate the placement of conservative, defect driven restorations without the need for considering retention and resistance form. The end result? Restoring the unrestorable and giving teeth a second wind.

Learn how to follow cutting edge minimally invasive principles to consistently place robust and reliable posterior restorations that will stand the test of time and outlast the industry standards.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the importance of correct material and equipment choice when placing rubber dam
• Appreciate how critical correct clamp choice is for correct isolation especially when tackling more complex cases
• Learn how to place rubber dam in even the most complex restorative scenarios
• Understand the nuances of cavity preparation for minimally invasive restorations
• Learn how to prepare the cavity to facilitate better matrix and composite placement
• Understand how to approach deep caries excavation in the most predictable and conservative way possible
• Understand how to carry out immediate dentine sealing and appreciate the many benefits of doing so
• Learn the principles of deep margin elevation and how to undertake it
• Recognise the difference between various matrixing systems and learn when they are best used
• Learn how to effectively and accurately place sectional matrix systems
• Appreciate the importance of marginal seal and the techniques involved in proximal wall creation
• Learn how to use a variety of composites to biomimetically ‘repair’ both the dentine and the enamel of the tooth as naturally as possible
• Appreciate the importance of correct occlusal anatomy regarding function and aesthetics and learn how to best create it