Hands-on course with Dr. Vincent O. Kokich. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: An Approach to Optimize Treatment Outcomes for the Complex Dental Patient

Achieving outstanding esthetic and functional outcomes in patients with complex dental conditions remains one of the greatest challenges in contemporary orthodontics. Missing and impacted teeth, severe tooth wear, esthetic concerns, loss of periodontal support, and other clinical complexities require not only an accurate diagnosis but also close collaboration between multiple dental specialists.

Successful management of these patients is only possible through effective interdisciplinary cooperation between the orthodontist, prosthodontist, and periodontist. A coordinated treatment approach allows clinicians to establish the optimal treatment sequence, minimize invasive procedures, and achieve predictable long-term functional and esthetic outcomes.

In this course, Professor Vincent Kokich Jr. will present a systematic approach to the diagnosis, treatment planning, and management of complex interdisciplinary cases. Through numerous clinical examples, participants will explore the most common esthetic and functional challenges encountered in everyday practice, as well as evidence-based strategies for interdisciplinary decision-making.

Complex clinical cases cannot be successfully managed within the boundaries of a single specialty.

This course will help you develop a systematic interdisciplinary approach to patient care while gaining valuable clinical insight from Professor Vincent Kokich Jr., one of the world's leading authorities in orthodontics and interdisciplinary dentistry.

During the hands-on workshop, participants will practice:

– Bending and activating the Ballista Loop
– Fabricating an Auxiliary Intrusion Arch for clear aligner therapy
– Fabricating the Mousetrap Appliance for traction of impacted canines
– Fabricating and bonding a Bonded Pontic Retainer
– Creating digital templates for treatment planning and clinical case presentations
– Using Procreate® for clinical documentation, patient communication, and treatment plan visualization.

IMPORTANT: the "Seminar. Standard", "Seminar. Comfort" and "Seminar+Demonstration. VIP" participation options are also available for purchase.

Advantages of the "Hands-on Workshop" participation option:
– Participation in the scientific program
– Coffee break
– Notes and handouts
– Certificate of participation
– ADA credits available upon request
– Lunch
– Priority seats in the venue
– Distinct reception counter
– VIP certificate
– VIP badge
– Online access to Giorgio Fiorelli’s course «Treatment planning and mechanics design»
– Online access to Federico Brugnami’s course «Orthodontic Treatment Stages Following Corticotomy»
– Online access to Kazumi Ikeda’s course «Assessing and Managing Disc Displacement»
– Online access to Jean-Marc Dersot’s course «Optimizing the periodontal conditions around impacted upper and lower canines»
– Online access to Jean-Marc Dersot’s course «Optimizing the periodontal conditions around impacted teeth»

Program

Day 1

Theory

– Contemporary principles of interdisciplinary treatment planning
– Collaboration between the orthodontist, periodontist, and prosthodontist in the management of complex clinical cases
– A systematic approach to the diagnosis of esthetic and functional discrepancies
– Orthodontic preparation for prosthetic rehabilitation: indications, possibilities, and limitations
– Treatment sequencing in interdisciplinary clinical cases
– Periodontal considerations influencing orthodontic treatment planning
– Conservative orthodontic approaches to achieving optimal esthetic outcomes
– Clinical case analysis with a focus on decision-making at every stage of treatment
– Interdisciplinary teamwork as the foundation for predictable functional and esthetic outcomes in comprehensive dental rehabilitation.

Day 2

Hands-on Workshop

By the end of the practical course, participants will be able to:

1. Ballista Loop (Impacted Teeth)

– Identify the clinical indications for using the Ballista Loop
– Fabricate the appliance independently using the appropriate wire and instruments
– Understand how loop dimensions, force magnitude, and the direction of activation influence treatment outcomes.

2. Auxiliary Intrusion Arch (Clear Aligner Therapy)

– Identify the indications for using an auxiliary intrusion arch
– Fabricate and activate the intrusion arch correctly
– Understand the appropriate treatment sequence and timing when used in conjunction with clear aligner therapy.

3. Mousetrap Appliance (Impacted Canines)

– Identify the clinical indications for using the Mousetrap appliance
– Fabricate the appliance independently
– Understand the complete treatment protocol, from the surgical exposure of the impacted canine to appliance removal upon completion of treatment.

4. Bonded Pontic Retainer (Long-Term Retention)

– Understand the indications, advantages, and limitations of the bonded pontic retainer
– Fabricate the retainer and perform the complete bonding protocol
– Recognize the key considerations for long-term maintenance and follow-up.

5. Treatment Planning Overlay Templates

– Use digital overlay templates for treatment planning and case presentations
– Create basic templates in Keynote® (similar functionality is available in Microsoft PowerPoint®, although it will not be demonstrated during the course)
– Apply templates to improve communication with patients and colleagues.

6. Procreate® for Clinical Documentation

– Use Procreate® to create clinical illustrations and document orthodontic cases
– Work with layers and annotations on clinical photographs using an iPad and Apple Pencil
– Integrate Procreate® into everyday clinical practice.