There is no doubt that knowledge is an indispensable factor for expert performance in periodontal and implant surgery. It is broadly understood as justified propositions most typically made available through lectures, books and journals, particularly those involving a review process which bestows the status of “acceptance”. But there is another kind of knowledge that emerges from longstanding clinical practice. Some of this knowledge may be explicit – means available to consciousness – while another part remains implicit or tacit, very hard to teach. It is the goal of the first part of my presentation, to make the tacit knowledge that accumulated during decades of occupation as a periodontal surgeon explicit. It is worth to be discussed as it is most essential for younger collagues on their way to proficiency. The focus will be on the interfaces between the human hand and the instrument handle (ergonomics) and the working end of the instruments and the mucosal tissues (bioengineering). 

After the discussion of the technical skills, the second part will shed light on the nontechnical ones such as intraoperative decision-making, situation awareness and communication which underpin technical proficiency. These factors are difficult to capture, but, according to scientific data, contribute with more than 75% to surgical performance. Most of the complications and errors in periodontal and implant surgery can be attributed to a deficiency of one or more of the nontechnical skills. All the topics will be illustrated by clinical cases and video presentations.

Learning Objectives:

• The participants will learn how to improve their manual skills and what’s behind “deliberate practice” 
• The participants will become familiar with nontechnical skills in periodontal and implant surgery and learn about their importance in daily clinical practice 
• The participants will learn the differences between “rule-based” and “creative” or “intuitive” intraoperative decision making 

There is no doubt that knowledge is an indispensable factors for expert performance in periodontal and implant surgery. It is broadly understood as justified propositions most typically made available through lectures, books and journals, particularly those involving a review process which bestows the status of “acceptance”. But there is another kind of knowledge that emerges from longstanding clinical practice. Some of this knowledge may be explicit – means available to consciousness – while another part remains implicit or tacit, very hard to teach. It is the goal of the first part of my presentation, to make the tacit knowledge that accumulated during decades of occupation as a periodontal surgeon explicit. It is worth to be discussed as it is most essential for younger collagues on their way to proficiency. The focus will be on the interfaces between the human hand and the instrument handle (ergonomics) and the working end of the instruments and the mucosal tissues (bioengineering). 

After the discussion of the technical skills, the second part will shed light on the nontechnical ones such as intraoperative decision-making, situation awareness and communication which underpin technical proficiency. These factors are difficult to capture, but, according to scientific data, contribute with more than 75% to surgical performance. Most of the complications and errors in periodontal and implant surgery can be attributed to a deficiency of one or more of the nontechnical skills. All the topics will be illustrated by clinical cases and video presentations.

Learning Objectives:

• The participants will learn how to improve their manual skills and what’s behind “deliberate practice” 
• The participants will become familiar with nontechnical skills in periodontal and implant surgery and learn about their importance in daily clinical practice 
• The participants will learn the differences between “rule-based” and “creative” or “intuitive” intraoperative decision making 

In modern restorative dentistry, ensuring the long-term success of implant-supported restorations depends on a comprehensive understanding of both material properties and prosthetic design. The selection of materials and techniques plays a critical role in the performance and durability of implant-supported restorations.

Advancements in biomaterials have provided clinicians with a broader range of options, from metal-ceramics to all-ceramics and composite resins, each with unique mechanical properties and indications. Understanding the interaction between these materials and the oral environment is essential for optimizing outcomes. Equally important is the prosthetic design, where factors such as occlusal load distribution, marginal fit, and adhesive protocols can significantly impact the restoration’s success.

This presentation will provide practical insights into selecting appropriate materials for varying patient conditions, including cases with high occlusal stress or aesthetic demands. Attendees will gain a deeper appreciation of how to balance material performance and design to enhance patient outcomes and ensure the longevity of restorations.

In modern restorative dentistry, ensuring the long-term success of implant-supported restorations depends on a comprehensive understanding of both material properties and prosthetic design. The selection of materials and techniques plays a critical role in the performance and durability of implant-supported restorations.

Advancements in biomaterials have provided clinicians with a broader range of options, from metal-ceramics to all-ceramics and composite resins, each with unique mechanical properties and indications. Understanding the interaction between these materials and the oral environment is essential for optimizing outcomes. Equally important is the prosthetic design, where factors such as occlusal load distribution, marginal fit, and adhesive protocols can significantly impact the restoration’s success.

This presentation will provide practical insights into selecting appropriate materials for varying patient conditions, including cases with high occlusal stress or aesthetic demands. Attendees will gain a deeper appreciation of how to balance material performance and design to enhance patient outcomes and ensure the longevity of restorations.

As life expectancy increases, dentists are faced with managing their patients into more advanced age. Both the younger and older elderly patients present a host of new challenges to delivery of effective care. This lecture will set the scene for addressing these challenges and enlisting effective oral and dental management strategies from both the patient’s and the dentist’s perspective.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the presentation the delegates should be able to:

• Consider the general and dental challenges of the older patient
• Describe strategies for addressing these challenges and approaching their dental care

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the population in South-East Asia is ageing rapidly. The population of people aged 60 and above is projected to increase to 20.3% by 2050, from 9.7% in 2017. More older adults are also retaining their natural teeth compared to before and are expected to form an increasingly large part of our dental practice in the coming years. They are more dentally aware and showing greater interest in implant dentistry as a mode of teeth replacement. However, physiological age changes, chronic medical conditions and polypharmacy increase the risk of poor nutritional and oral health status. 

This presentation provides an overview of the oral health issues relating to implant management of elderly patients. Through real case examples, different treatment planning considerations associated with prosthetic rehabilitation for this specific population will be explored.

Learning Objectives: 

• Considerations in the replacement of missing teeth
• Maintenance of teeth and implants
• Individualization of care plans and strategies for management

Fixed implant prostheses in the elderly population require special prosthetic considerations due to agerelated physiological and anatomical changes. These changes, including reduced bone density, systemic
health issues, and diminished oral function, impact both the selection and design of prosthetic components. Addressing these factors is crucial for ensuring the success and functionality of implant-supported restorations and improving the quality of life for elderly patients.

Key considerations include understanding the anatomical and physiological changes associated with aging, such as bone density loss and changes in oral tissues. These factors can affect implant stability and longevity, making it essential to adapt implant placement techniques and material choices accordingly.

Individualized treatment planning is fundamental to overcoming these challenges. It involves assessing and addressing patient-specific needs, including managing comorbid conditions and the effects of medications,
to tailor the treatment approach effectively. This personalized strategy helps enhance the long-term success of the prostheses and meet the unique health requirements of elderly patients.

Selecting appropriate implant systems and prosthetic designs is another critical aspect. Clinicians must compare different implant systems and materials, evaluating their suitability based on the patient’s bone
quality and overall health. Understanding the advantages and limitations of various designs and materials is essential for making informed decisions. Treatment planning should focus on optimizing both functional
and aesthetic outcomes. This includes addressing considerations related to occlusion, esthetics, and patient expectations to design and execute prostheses that cater to the specific needs of elderly individuals.

In summary, successful fixed implant prosthesis treatment in the elderly involves a comprehensive approach that accounts for age-related changes, individualized care, appropriate material selection, and careful planning to achieve optimal outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand anatomical and physiological changes
• Assess and address patient-specific considerations
• Select appropriate implant systems, attachment, and prosthetic designs
• Plan for functional and aesthetic outcomes

This presentation comes with the author’s 15 years of clinical experience in managing elderly population with implant treatment. The lecture will highlight the current practices in the management of edentulism, considering different implant configurations, attachments, and patient related variations. Clinical and patient reported outcomes of the study with Malaysian elderly population will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Appraise evidence-based implant treatment in the elderly population
• ⁠Know different implant configurations and overdenture attachments
• ⁠Understand what is the best for your edentulous patient

Implant rehabilitation restores form and function for patient with missing dentition. However, dynamic physiological and pathological changes around peri-implant tissue might eventually lead to treatment alteration and change in the prosthesis designs. 

Learning Objectives:  

• To discuss on the human physiological changes as age advances 
• To discuss on prosthesis design that are relevant to rehabilitating geriatric and complex patients  

The rapid advancements in implant dentistry have enabled the placement of dental implants in a wider range of indications and patient profile. Consistent supportive periodontal therapy is essential in the long-term maintenance of well-functioning implants in these patients. There is also an observed rise in the prevalence of implant related complications, both mechanical and biological, often affecting elderly persons, whose implants have been in service for a longer duration. The management of the biological complications is often confounded by various factors, such as neurocognitive degeneration and intake of anti-resorptive medication for medical reasons. In this session, we will be learning about the concept of early palliative care approach in the management of implants in elderly patients, particularly in those diagnosed with frailty.

Learning Objectives:

• Applying the concepts of early palliative care approach to the clinical management of elderly patients 
• Understanding the modifications in care approaches in frail elderly persons 

The rise of implant dentistry is a product of its clinical success and predictability in a rapidly aging world. The concomitant increase in access to high-quality healthcare services, preventive care and public health measures has advanced life expectancy. People are surviving increasingly complex medical conditions, and living longer. This presents challenges to the practice of implant dentistry on multiple fronts. New patients present with systemic conditions, in which both the disease processes and the medications used to treat them pose as risks factors for the implant surgery, wound healing, osteosynthesis, and long-term implant treatment. Existing patients with dental implants will grow older with deteriorating cognition and dexterity, and many patients go on to develop systemic conditions and deteriorating implant function. How do we navigate through this?

Learning Objectives: 

• Understand the impact some medical conditions may have on dental implants
• Recognize the challenges and treatment dilemma of implant dentistry in medically complex patients to deliver the appropriate care
• Individualize the treatment strategy to the medical conditions and needs of each patient

Dental implants penetration rate into dental industry is increasing at an exponential rate over the last 20 years since its inception nearly 60 years ago. However, the technology of implants, techniques and how we deliver care have been evolving so quickly to make life easier for dentists to places implants and yet often surgeons are too quick in placing them without having a full picture.

With the advancement of technology, this lecture will explore how treatment planning can be done in a much more controlled manner and we can be more predictable in our outcomes. Having a beautiful smile and being able to masticate well is still the original purpose of implants; thus how do we ensure that happens for patients.

In addition, how private practice can efficiently adopt these advancements of technology in the most efficient way to stay current and provide optimal care, balancing innovation with patient-centred outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the differences between digital workflow and traditional for implants
• Learn how to incorporate digital dentistry into your practice for simple and complex cases
• Review what is crucial in your practice and how to keep up with time

Being edentulous is a significant handicap in terms of function and aesthetic. The challenges when restoring edentulous cases include treatment duration, cost, and bone augmentation procedures. Advances in the past decades have brought many improvements in implant such as implant macro design, implant surface and digital workflow. The ProArch/All-on-X treatment concept allows for the restoration of edentulous or soon-to-be edentulous cases with a patient-centered approach. Some advantages of ProArch/All-on-X fixed technique include immediate provisional restoration, reduction of treatment duration, reasonable cost and avoidance of bone augmentation while still maintain high success rate in the long-term.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand and apply the ProArch/All-on-X treatment phylosophy for full edentulous patients
• Determine the type of final prosthesis depending on clinical situations
• Describe the analog and modern digital workflow for edentulous patients