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ePaper created 2017-03-17, 11:21:45 | version 1.38.0
interview feature | Consequently, education efforts have to double too in order to ensure that dentists are ade- quately trained in implant placement. Do you agree with this statement? Of course; however, and I say this although I am a faculty member of the School of Dentistry of the University of Athens, which provides education at the highest level, students are still unfortunately not adequately trained in implants. Postgraduate studies in a university environment or very well- organised implant master programs are necessary for a dentist to be able to place or restore implants. We have seen quite a few different concepts emerging over the last several years in aesthetic dentistry, such as bio-emulation and smile de- sign. Which concepts will have the most impact in the future and change the way aesthetic dentistry is performed? Well, as a prosthodontist, I have to say there is nothing new in these concepts. Basic aesthetic rules are to be applied in every prosthodontic case, such as tooth positioning, proportion, occlusion, colour and design. However, digital technology is a very helpful tool, especially for the novice dentist, for im- plementing these rules and simplifying the treat- ment workfl ow. The same applies to bio-emulation. Biological concepts, improved materials and tech- niques are always there to simplify clinical dentistry and reduce potential errors and complications. What is the position of aesthetic dentistry in the development of dental specialties in your opinion? Aesthetic dentistry is not a recognised specialty generally, falling mainly under prosthodontics. I do not think aesthetic dentistry should be a stand-alone specialty. Being trained in a perio- dontic-prosthodontic environment (University of Freiburg, Germany, under Prof. J.R. Strub), I be- lieve that a modern restorative dentist should be adequately trained in more than one main area. Periodontics, prosthodontics and restorative den- tistry all constitute what is considered aesthetic dentistry._ about Dr Stavros Pelekanos received his DDS in 1991 and his doctoral degree in 1993. He runs a private practice in Athens specialising in prosthodontics, implantology and aesthetic dentistry. He is an assistant professor at the School of Dentistry of the University of Athens, Greece, and a faculty member of the Global Institute for Dental Education, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Dr Pelekanos lectures internationally and gives hands-on courses on implants, aesthetics and restorative procedures. To date, he has published over 20 articles in peer-reviewed journals and two chapters in books. CAD/CAM 1 2017 43