Training Center Covers All Aspects of Implantology
The Simply Implants Institute provides hand-on training in all facets of dental implant planning, placement and restoration.
The Simply Implants Institute (SI Institute) is the best place for dentists to learn about placing dental implants. Between the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, International Congress of Implantology, universities and private entities, more than 45 outlets offer implant classes, courses and continuums all over the world. So how do I boldly claim that SI Institute is the best place to learn to place implants? As clinical director, I make the case that we teach dental implant placement (along with extractions and bone grafting) on live patients as a part of teaching the principles of advanced restorative dentistry. At the institute, we take a top-down approach with the end in mind before we show you how to “place the screws.”
Our experience suggests that many dentists would benefit from additional training in restorative dentistry techniques. At SI Institute, we distinguish ourselves by teaching students as if they were in a prosthodontic residency. We find that many general dentists are “one tooth doctors;” similarly, some specialists focus only on what the general dentist requested on the referral sheet/prescription. In comparison, we teach our doctors to look at the mouth in its entirety.
CORE 1 CURRICULUM
At SI Institute, we offer a four-day training course called Core 1. During this Friday through Monday training session, our students average 20 to 25 implant placements — all on live patients. Day 1 starts with a half-day lecture on restorative dentistry where we teach what we call the Prosthodontic or Pros Method. We also recommend answering a few critical questions before recommending a treatment plan.
- Design the case (is there enough space?)
- Prep (do surgery) and HOLD
- Seat the case (insert crowns or dentures)
We believe the most critical skill any dentist needs to learn is when and how to “open a bite.” At SI Institute, we ask if the patient’s occlusion/bite needs to be corrected before starting a case.
SAFETY, SPEED AND PRECISION
All three of these attributes are essential when performing advanced reconstruction cases. If it takes five to seven hours to prep an upper arch for crowns, or four to five hours to place four to eight implants and temporize with a denture or bridge, dentists need to ask if they are ready to do the case. Do we do one arch or both arches on surgery day? Is the patient orally or IV sedated?
Furthermore, how long should it take to seat a case? At SI Institute, we discuss the importance of dental labs when performing advanced reconstruction cases. Do you ever tell patients about the lab you will use for their reconstruction case?
Finally, the dentist has control by approaching any reconstruction case with the Design/Prep/Seat mindset. The Pros Method also helps support a more predictable outcome. It’s a great way to manage the limitations and, more importantly, the expectations for any reconstruction case.
Additionally, the dentist should ask three more questions:
- Is this patient going to lose his or her teeth? (And what are the Fab 3 treatment options if patients are losing their teeth?)
- Is this patient keeping most of his or her teeth?
- If the patient is keeping his or her teeth, what are the five case types every general dentist needs to understand before initiating treatment?
PREDICTABLE IMPLANT OUTCOMES
When the dentist learns how to set up a case correctly, he or she can do the case safely, precisely and quickly — and with predictable results for the provider and patient.
Finally, dentists who wish to get started in dental implantology or want additional training in advanced restorative techniques should ask just a few more questions.
- Are the instructors themselves using the procedures they teach?
- Will you train on live patients right away?
- Can you come back for more training?
When you are ready, come to the SI Institute, where we will put you on a path to becoming a successful and in-demand full-mouth reconstruction dentist.
Simply Implants
888-660-2720
From Decisions in Dentistry. November 2022;8(11)25.
