CCCN 712 Operative Dentistry
This course is designed to review the art and science of operative dentistry through lectures and hands-on laboratory exercises. Disease prevention and conservation of tooth structure are the basis of our treatment philosophy. The treatment of dental caries as an infectious disease is emphasized through the discussion of state-of-the-art caries prevention and management strategies. Currently available restorative materials are detailed including rationale for selection and manipulation techniques. Treatment planning, conservative restorative methods and the restoration of structurally compromised teeth are discussed. Esthetic/cosmetic dentistry modalities, e.g., bleaching, DBAs (dentinal bonding agents), esthetic posterior restorations, and porcelain veneers/porcelain systems are presented. Our goal is to provide participants with tools to enhance clinical success when restoring the carious, defective, or traumatically injured dentition. This course encourages the development of sound clinical rationales when providing operative dentistry as part of an overall comprehensive treatment plan.