This course provides a systematic approach to identifying and treatment planning the patient with obvious signs of wear and tear.

At the conclusion of this course, attendees will have the skills to be able to identify the steps involved to develop a blueprint for success in the final restorations.

HANDS-ON Portion: 

• In pairs, attendees will work on Finding Centric Relation. Classic bi-manual manipulation to ‘guide’ the joints into CR is an art form that may be frustrating at first. There are different approaches to confirming CR using anything from a leaf gauge to a Lucia jig can be employed. By actually experiencing what it should feel like allows you to execute more effectively on someone else
• TMJ Orthopedic Exam. Working together, attendees will be taught to evaluate the condition of the joints. Examples of cases showing issues will be shown and evaluated to discuss treatment needs.
• Muscles. Using a guide, attendees will address muscles sequentially. They will also identify sore/tender muscles versus trigger points that may be referring to pain in other areas.
• ROM. Know when limited or abnormal range of motion signifies problems that need to be addressed first. Dr. Gaudio will demonstrate ROM and provide the steps necessary for a comprehensive exam.
• Face bow. The ability to reproduce the masticatory system three dimensionally allows us to minimize adjustments in the mouth and planning of a proper occlusal scheme. The facebow gives us a spatial orientation that allows for proper mounting of models on a semi-adjustable articulator.  Attendees will work in groups using a FACEBOW.
• Bite Registration. Crucial to the facebow transfer is the bite registration that allows for reproduction of the centric relation position. Bite registrations will be captured in both impression material and a blue wax.
• The use of digital technology to verify and enhance predictability. How to confirm the most physiologic joint position and pre-prosthetic movement of teeth orthodontically can optimally "set up" a case and help to improve overall physiology and health. Digital technology includes the intraoral digital scans, orthodontic software and T-Scan to evaluate forces and dial in equilibration of the dentition. There will be a demo of the T-Scan technology.