The Maritim Hotel in Berlin was the venue for the Bredent Group’s 2014 meeting ‘Perfect implant prosthetic solutions through the use of innovative materials and
technologies’.
Peter Brehm, Bredents managing director, officially opened the three day conference which included both plenary and conference sessions as well as excellence courses and workshops. Peter has an unashamed love and enthusiasm for dentistry and this very rapidly communicated itself to the audience of more than 800 delegates.
One of the highlights of the conference was the range of ‘excellence courses’. In his course Domenico Massironi focused on the main prosthetic aspects of working with higher levels of magnification to improve precision and aesthetics; Professor Anton Sculean covered photodynamic therapy in the treatment of periodontal and peri-implant infections; Georg Bayer and Stephan Adler explained the Fast & Fixed concept in detail and David Garber
outlined the biological, aesthetic and clinical factors that allow clinicians to eliminate the waiting period for implant loading without sacrificing predictable osseointegration, whilst simultaneously enhancing aesthetics. Whilst these courses were running, a number of specialist workshops were also taking place for clinicians and technicians.
Dental technician Preyesh Khatatari, from Turner & Goldrich Dental Lab in St John’s Wood, attended workshops on both days and commented: “It’s always interesting to listen to others who are pretty much doing a similar job to yours, and if you do listen, you learn. I certainly left Berlin with some new techniques I want to try.”
Photodynamic therapy proved to be one of the hot topics at the conference and a number of speakers covered the subject in considerable depth, referring to the significant research and tests that have been conducted. The basic principle was easy to understand. It has already been established that low level laser exposure aids wound healing. Now there are clear indications that
photodynamic therapy (PDT) could be an adjunctive antimicrobial approach for preventive and therapeutic treatment without the disadvantages of antibiotics.
With increasing concerns about resistance to antibiotics, the potential for PDT in, for example, the treatment of periodontal disease, peri-implantitis and bone necrosis, was not lost on anyone attending the conference. The point was made that, whilst there are a number of photosensitising agents on the
market, only Helbo, with a proven capability, was recommended.
Materials and technologies
At the heart of the conference was a collective desire to learn and improve. Thus there was keen interest in hearing about new materials and their capabilities.
On the first day of the conference Neil Cooper, who practices in Cumbria and Harley Street, presented his experiences in using a material that is relatively new to the UK. Peek (BioHPP) was, in fact, first developed in the early 1960’s by Dupont, but its use in the fabrication of dental restorations is a relatively new innovation. Throughout the conference, presenters continued to
extol the virtues of Peek, explaining both its functionality and its potential for providing improved end result aesthetics.
Peek is a semi-crystalline material that offers patient biocompatibility, flexibility close to the bone, no metal in the mouth, patient discoloration stability, no corrosion and a range of applications. Neil Cooper’s enthusiasm was endorsed by clinicians and technicians from a number of countries, who demonstrated that PEEK can overcome such problems as chipping and produce optimum aesthetic results even in difficult situations.
The increasing importance of digital techniques in dentistry and dental technology was also fully addressed by a number of experienced speakers. Their presentations discussed such issues as: better planning and simulation
using 3D technology; the role of digital workflow in communicating with and supporting the dental team; benefits for patients; opportunities for dental laboratories and the coordination and optimisation of the various processes and procedures.
Naturally enough, Sky fast & fixed was ‘top of the bill’ in Berlin and every subject covered throughout the conference related wholly or in part to some aspect of its same day/ immediate loading protocol.
Many in attendance had firsthand knowledge and/or experience of the procedure, but were still keen to hear of new innovations that would ultimately result in an improved patient experience. In fact Stephan Ryssel reminded everyone very early on that Sky fast & fixed could be judged a true success only if it were communicated clearly and its benefits fully understood by patients. Stephan told the audience that he followed a seven stage introductory process with patients if they indicated an interest in same day implants:
? address and establish the patient’s fundamental needs
? create interest
? show negative situations as a preparation for
? showing positive solutions
? show other less favourable solutions
? summarise the life changing benefits
? confirm the patient’s choice
A number of presentations, excellence courses and workshops confirmed the worldwide success of Sky fast & fixed. Experienced users explained how the treatment could be successfully implemented and become a real driving force behind practice growth.
The conference was a master class from so many viewpoints. It was brilliantly organised and coordinated, the catering was superb and the speakers were excellent, and in many cases inspirational. Above all everyone left knowing a good deal more than they knew when they arrived.