
Course overview
These units can be completed over the course of 12-months via Blended Learning, which combines practical face-to-face sessions with online lectures and seminars. Under the tutelage of our expert lecturers – including Professor Paul Tipton – you’ll hone your restorative techniques with the very latest scientific knowledge.
Topics covered include: Occlusion, Articulators, TMJ Splints, Tooth Preparations, Endodontics & Periodontics, Treatment Planning, Advanced Composites and Adhesion, Posts etc
With this knowledge, you’ll be able to provide comprehensive treatment options to your patients. But don’t just take our word for it – just scroll down to read the testimonials from our distinguished alumni.
Course Assessments are in the form of Direct Observation of Performance (DOPS), Reflective Write-ups, Clinical Portfolio, Treatment Planning Assignments and Multiple Choice Questions.
Module 1: Principles of Occlusion
- 5 Principles of Occlusion
- Slides between RCP and ICP
- Gnathology and Pankey style Occlusions
- Importance of Condylar Position
- Bruxism
- Anterior Guidance
- Mutually protected occlusion
- Jaw registrations on live patients
- Facebow registration practical on live patients
Module 2: Occlusal Examinations
- Classification of lateral movement
- How to examine the TMJs
- Muscle palpation
- Importance of RCP
- How the slide determines the treatment plan
- Conformative v Reorganised approach
- 4 factors that identify your Occlusal plan
- Canine discussion and cusp angles
- Occlusal Examination practical on live patients
Module 3: Porcelain veneers/aesthetics
- Media vs Natural Smiles
- Conventional v slice preps
- Prepless veneers
- Lab techniques to make Veneers
- Feldspathic v Emax
- Cementation techniques
- Smile design and smile imaging
- Geller Models
- Diagnostic waxing prototypes
Module 4: Preparations
- Two handed preprations
- Understanding bur selection
- Tooth anatomy v Tooth Prep
- Use of speed increasing handsets
- Lab techniques
- Functional cusp bevels
- Shillingburg winged preps
- Convergence angle and axial inclination
- Tooth Prep practical on phantom heads
Module 5: Periodontics
- Needs and characteristics of patient
- Six-point periodontal examination
- Gingival exposure/margins
- Dento-gingival complex, biotype, keratinised tissues
- Gingival recession
- Risk Assessment: e.g. biological caries, loss of retention, fracture, abutment or restorations
- Aetiological considerations
- Merits of remedial action, options
Module 6: Articulators
- Mounting your own Models on the semi adjustable Articulator
- Average value articulator
- Arbitrary v Kinematic facebows
- Semi adjustable & Fully adjustable articulators
- Importance of Condylar inclination
- Bennett movement v immediate side shift
- Bennett shift v progressive side shift
- Understanding the importance of intercondylar distance
- Why are your restorations always high
Module 7: Posts
- Creating the ideal ferrule
- Parallel vs Tapered posts
- Nayyar cores
- Shenker Post
Adhesive Fibre/Zirconia Posts
Module 8: Endodontics
- The 4 pillars of endodontic treatment
- Coronal seal
- Fracture risk, detection and prevention
- Vital pulp therapies and prevention of pulp necrosis
- Management of cracked teeth
- Treatment of infections
Module 9: Introduction to Implants
- Treatment planning for the hopeless tooth
- Dental implant supported restoration
- Types of abutment, screw retained vs cement retained
- Digital imaging techniques
- Guided surgery and the use of surgical stents, CBCT, CAD CAM milling of substructures
- All on 4 Restorations
- Treatment planning for single tooth to full arch cases
- Implants vs Bridges
Module 10: TMJ/Splints
- Types of splint
- Lucia jigs
- Michigan Splints
- Tanner Appliances
- Anterior Repositioning splints
- Anterior splints and deprogrammers
- Avoiding a Closed Lock
- Classification of clicking
- Splint adjustment practical on live patients
Module 11: Removable Prosthodontics
- Minimal Cavity Designs
- Air Abrasion and Ozone
- Tunnel/internal/minibox/slot preparations
- Laser Cavity preparations
Module 12: Adhesion/Composites
- Contraction (C) factor
- Treatment of pulpal exposures
- Placement and shrinkage, flowable and chemically cured composites
- Surface layer considerations
- Staining techniques
- Classification of Dentine bonding agents and appropriate use
- Bonding to different types of dentine
- Tooth Anatomy
- Rubber dam placement practical
Module 13: Bridge Design
- Choosing fixed/fixed v fixed moveable design
- Cantilever designs
- Adhesive bridge preps
- Choosing the retainer type
- Perils of double abutting
- Reasons for bridge failures
- Flexing v length of bridge
- Lindhe and Nyman bridges/Periodontal Prosthesis
- The use of stress breakers
Module 14: Overview of Occlusion
- Load testing the joint
- Choosing your condylar position
- Types of canine guidance
- Occlusal adjustment
- Progressive guidance, programmed guidance
- Long and wide centric, freedom in centric
- Treatment of Class 2 patients
- Lucia jigs practical on live patients
Module 15: Treatment Planning
- Treatment Planning the large restorative case, sequencing treatment
- Dahl appliances, diagnostic waxing and the curve of spee
- Boyle’s plane analyser, importance of the Occlusal plane
- Vertical dimension and facial aesthetics, golden proportion
- Pink porcelain, emergence profile and soft tissue position
- Custom made Anterior guidance tables
- Treatment planning practical
- Diagnostic waxing practical
- Occlusal adjustment on models practical
Unit 1: Principles of Occlusion
- Learning Outcome 1: Comprehensively evaluate and demonstrate the understanding of basic, intermediate and advanced principles of occlusion.
- Learning Outcome 2: Evaluate, select and apply appropriate occlusion techniques for manipulation of the jaw, identification of slides, managing and controlling occlusion for a reorganised bite.
- Learning Outcome 3: Evaluate and apply appropriate techniques relating to TMJ and Splints, which splint to use when and where, management of the patient, maintenance and review.
Unit 2: Principles of Tooth Preparation
- Learning Outcome 1: Demonstrate an understanding of the main factors to be considered for use in Tooth Preparation, bur selection and dimension, preparation techniques and the science behind them, Shillingburg Preps and Magne.
- Learning Outcome 2: Critically appraise current techniques and accompanying material considerations involved with the application of porcelain veneers.
- Learning Outcome 3: Evaluate and demonstrate the techniques for the use of posts. Which Posts design, material, ferrule and managing the root filled tooth.
- Learning Outcome 4: Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of adhesion composites and their application to patients.
Unit 3: Tooth Replacement for Missing Teeth
- Learning Outcome 1: Demonstrate an understanding of Bridge Preparation Techniques and Adhesive Requirements.
- Learning Outcome 2: Analyse and Apply the Essential Techniques for Implants.
Unit 4: Treatment Planning and the Use of Articulators
- Learning Outcome 1: Evaluate the Treatment Planning Considerations to be made for Patients.
- Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate understanding of the principles of articulators, types of articulators and the science behind choice of use.
Unit 5: Endodontics and Periodontics
- Learning Outcome 1: Evaluate the Endodontic restorative management of teeth.
- Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate an understanding of periodontology.
Who should do this course?
Most dentists coming on this course are either already practicing Private Dentistry or are NHS dentists wishing to move to Private Dentistry. However, this course is aimed at any dentist wishing to improve their clinical work and invest more time into understanding occlusion, stabilising and improving the patients teeth and well-being.
How much practical work is involved?
The Restorative course consists of a mixture of lectures, demonstrations and practical sessions. It is 60% theory and 40% practical. On the majority of course days there will be a lecture in the morning and a practical session in the afternoon. On the 14-day programme, 10 days include a practical afternoon session.
How much reading is involved?
The theory is based on reading material provided to you within the e-learning page on the website. This will be available to you up to 4 weeks prior to the specific course module. The theory is based on scientific articles hand-picked by Professor Tipton. Reading material is required for most course days and the time investment in reading may vary for each module. All reading material is essential as Professor Tipton may refer back to specific points during the course.
I am struggling with more complex cases and more private work, will this course help?
The restorative course will open your eyes on how to deal with more complex and private cases, allowing you to be more organised and confident when delivering dental care to your patients. We also offer delegates to bring study models and pictures to discuss with any of our clinical team including Professor Paul Tipton.
Do I treat patients on the course?
No, we do not have live patients on this course. However, it is expected that you do participate in group work with your peers on the course day. This includes practising the techniques you have been taught on the course on each other.
I am confused about which course will suit be best. Can you tell me the difference between the Restorative and Operative (Phantom Head) course?
The PG Certificate in Restorative Dentistry is a more theoretical course with 6 full days on Occlusion. Other topics include Posts, Porcelain Veneers, Bridge Design, Endodontics, Periodontics & Minimal Invasive Dentistry. The PG Certificate in Operative Dentistry has 10 face-to-face days which are 100% practical, intense hands-on training working on Phantom Heads to improve your tooth preparation skills. It all depends on your experience and comfort level with Occlusion, Treatment Planning and tooth preparation techniques. The courses complement each other perfectly. We have had some delegates who join one course and then join the other immediately after. Should you plan to do both courses we suggest doing the PG Diploma in Prosthodontics and taking advantage of 18 months interest free finance. You can complete the PG Diploma in 18 months. In addition to the added clinical skills and treatment advantages, you will also save 6% on fees by enrolling straight onto the Diploma. If you initially only want to enrol to one course, the ideal pathway would be to begin with the PG Certificate in Restorative Dentistry and then follow on with the PG Certificate in Operative Dentistry.
What is covered in the course fees?
We cover the cost of light curing units, composites and impression materials needed within the course. We will provide a Michigan Splint for each delegate provided that you bring your study cast for the articulator practical. Adhesion composite models and treatment planning models are also included in the course fees. A light lunch and refreshments will be available. Whilst we try to accommodate any dietary requirements, we cannot always guarantee.
Are there any additional course costs?
As part of the Articulator training day (Unit 1), we require delegates to bring an unmounted upper and lower study model of themselves on good quality stone which they will mount onto articulators on the day. These models are then sent to our laboratory and we have a Michigan splint made. The splints are then fitted in the delegates own mouths as part of the TMJ Splint training day (Unit 1). We believe this is the best experience a dentist can have of the end to end process. The cost of splints is included in course fees, however, the unmounted upper and lower study model must be provided by the delegate.