Dental Tribune UK Edition, September 20-26, 2010, Vol. 4 No. 22

Comprehensive Dentistry and Occlusion Q.WhyistheDawsonAcademy so well known for occlusion? The reason Dr, Dawson became so well known for occlusion was twofold. Firstly, he explained it so well! He made a oft complex sub- ject logical and straightforward. Secondly, the title of Dr. Dawson’s series was actually “The Concept of Complete Dentistry”. Complete or comprehensive dentistry in- cludes not only the tooth prob- lems, periodontal problems and tissue problems that dentistry has traditionally dealt with, including smile concerns that have become prevalent in more recent years, but also deals with occlusal is- sues. Not only does occlusion touch almost every aspect of den- tistry from the simplest filling to complex implant treatments, but as people are keeping their teeth longer more people are suffer- ing the effects of occlusal disease - particularly worn teeth. While dentists have become familiar in dealing with teeth, periodontal and more recently smile prob- lems, they are much less familiar with how to deal with occlusal problems. Consequently, occlu- sion became the cornerstone of the series. Q. How does this all fit with modern dentistry? Patient ex- pectations, materials, etc. have changed. John Cranham, Clinical Director, has done a fantastic job in blending Dr. Dawson’s timeless principles with cutting edge re- search, materials and philosophy. Q. How about treatment plan- ning? Dentistry is all about the balance between function, aes- thetics, biology and structure. Sometimes keeping all these things in mind can be tricky. That’s why we have developed logical systems and processes to ensure that nothing is missed and we have a definite starting point. The “Big Picture” system is our “4 Steps to Predictable Den- tistry”. Firstly, we need to visual- ise where the teeth need to fit in the face. Then we need to trans- fer this vision to mounted models to produce a diagnostic wax-up. This allows us to produce the ma- trices we need to ensure minimal but adequate preparation and to provide excellent temporary res- torations, the third stage of the process. Once these are approved it then becomes a predictable and stress-free process to produce ex- ceptional final restorations, the fourth part of the process. Q. So do you just deal with restorative dentistry? Abso- lutely not! Since the cosmetic wave hit dentistry a number of years ago and everything needed a porcelain veneer (!!) there is now a move away from this and much talk of minimally invasive dentistry and orthodontic op- tions. Well, forty years ago Dr. Dawson was talking and writing about just this. He outlined his treatment options in a specific sequence: Reshape, Reposition, Restoration or Surgical. Once we have decided where the teeth need to go to fulfil our functional and aesthetic goals we can then apply the treatment options in the above order. Sometimes teeth can simply be reshaped to fulfil the requirements e.g. equilibration. If the teeth are in good condition but in the wrong place, reposi- tioning (orthodontics) is usually the most appropriate option. Only once these two options have been considered should restoration be contemplated. Commonly, com- plex treatment requires a com- bination of two or more options. If these treatment options are ap- plied in this order, you will truly be able to solve your patients’ problems whilst providing as lit- tle dentistry as possible. Dr. Dawson also had another rulethatsatovereverythinghedid - the WIDIOM rule (Would I Do It On Me?). If you wouldn’t accept the treatment yourself, why give it to patients? I’m sure that many gooddentistshaveappliedthisrule in their career. However, it takes a wise man to point out the ob- vious. This is why we talk of Dr. Dawson’s timeless principles. DT A comprehensive understanding of how the TM joint, muscles, proprioceptive input, lower anterior teeth, upper anterior teeth, lower posterior teeth and upper posterior teeth are designed to function in harmony with one another A comprehensive understanding of how the TM joint, muscles, proprioceptive input, lower anterior teeth, upper anterior teeth, lower posterior teeth and upper posterior teeth are designed to function in harmony with one another A comprehensive understanding of how the TM joint, muscles, proprioceptive input, lower anterior teeth, upper anterior teeth, lower posterior teeth and upper posterior teeth are designed to function in harmony with one another A comprehensive understanding of how the TM joint, muscles, proprioceptive input, lower anterior teeth, upper anterior teeth, lower posterior teeth and upper posterior teeth are designed to function in harmony with one another A comprehensive understanding of how the TM joint, muscles, proprioceptive input, lower anterior teeth, upper anterior teeth, lower posterior teeth and upper posterior teeth are designed to function in harmony with one another A comprehensive understanding of how the TM joint, muscles, proprioceptive input, lower anterior teeth, upper anterior teeth, lower posterior teeth and upper posterior teeth are designed to function in harmony with one another A comprehensive understanding of how the TM joint, muscles, proprioceptive input, lower anterior teeth, upper anterior teeth, lower posterior teeth and upper posterior teeth are designed to function in harmony with one another A comprehensive understanding of how the TM joint, muscles, proprioceptive input, lower anterior teeth, upper anterior teeth, lower posterior teeth and upper posterior teeth are designed to function in harmony with one another A comprehensive understanding of how the TM joint, muscles, proprioceptive input, lower anterior teeth, upper anterior teeth, lower posterior teeth and upper posterior teeth are designed to function in harmony with one another A comprehensive understanding of how the TM joint, muscles, proprioceptive input, lower anterior teeth, upper anterior teeth, lower posterior teeth and upper posterior teeth are designed to function in harmony with one Lecture&HandsOn BDSeminars Hands On Courses To book please call 0151 342 0410 or email dawsonacademy@bdseminars.com DeWitt Wilkerson, DMDIan Buckle, BDSJohn Cranham, DDS Function & Aesthetics Takingbookings forWirral 2011 London Core Curriculum Series Limited Places Available StudyClubs DATE VENUE TIME FEES 2010 Oct 8 Wirral 2.00 pm £49 + VAT 2010 Oct 21 Birmingham 6.00 pm £49 + VAT 2010 Oct 22 London 2.00 pm £49 + VAT 2010 Oct 23 SW Torquay 9.30 am £49 + VAT 2010 Nov 4 Cardiff 6.00 pm £49 + VAT 2010 Nov 5 NE Newcastle 2.00 pm £49 + VAT 2010 Nov 6 Leeds 9.30 am £49 + VAT DATE VENUE TIME FEES 2010 Nov 18 Glasgow 6.00 pm £49 + VAT 2010 Nov 19 Dublin 2.00 pm £49 + VAT 2011 Jan 14 Malmoe To be £49 + VAT Sweden confirmed 2011 Feb 5 Copenhagen To be £49 + VAT Denmark confirmed Limited to 20 delegates DATE VENUE FEES Comprehensive Exam & Records Jan 27,28 & 29 2011 Wirral £1695 + VAT Treatment Planning Mar 17,18 & 19 2011 Wirral £1695 + VAT Equilibration May 11,12 & 13 2011 Wirral £1695 + VAT Restoring Anterior Teeth Jun 23,24 & 25 2011 Wirral £1695 + VAT Dawson Academy European Study Club 2010/2011 3Hrs CPD Splints and Restorative Dentistry – which,when and why? Wirral Core Curriculum Series 2011 3 Day Lecture & Hands On –The Dawson Centre,Wirral September 20-26, 201024 United Kingdom EditionAdvertorial