This course addresses general dentists and periodontists who intend to learn more about the use of regenerative and esthetic procedures in periodontology.
Advances in cell and molecular biology have contributed to increased understanding of wound healing of various tissues, and revealed a great complexity of processes involved. In general, the outcome of wound healing can be characterized either as repair, i.e. scar tissue formation that differs in form and/or function from the original tissues, or regeneration, i.e. form and function of the lost tissues is restored. A large body of evidence has established that polypeptide growth and differentiation factors, natural biological mediators critical to development of tissues and organs, may support wound healing/regeneration creating an environment conducive to and/or immediately inducing de novo tissue formation.
The better understanding of the biology combined with improved surgical techniques yielded to clinical concepts enabling predictable treatment outcomes in intrabony and furcation defects. Recently, the use of biological active molecules such as enamel matrix proteins in conjunction with innovative surgical techniques such as the Modified Coronally Advanced Tunnel (MCAT) with or without connective tissue grafts or collagen matrices has been proven a predictable technique to treat single and multiple gingival recessions and to correct various types of soft tissue defects around teeth and dental implants, improve tissue thickness and avoid scar tissue formation.
Presentation of clinical cases, schematic drawings and video presentations will demonstrate the clinical applications of various techniques to achieve periodontal regeneration and improve esthetic outcomes.