For the last 30 years, implantology in dentistry has been one of the most important areas of dental treatment, giving solutions in challenging treatment plans, helping patients improve and restore their ability to speak, eat and function properly.

Nowdays, there is a variety of materials and techniques suitable for implant restorations, and we as clinicians and dental technicians have to choose which one is the most suitable for our treatment plan, and which one will give our patient the desired outcome for his/her treatment.

Learning Objectives

• To learn about full arch implant restorations
• To understand the step by step manufacturing process
• To understand how to evaluate each case, and choose what technique and material to use
• To discuss mistakes that often occur when handling full arch restorations, and how to avoid them

Dimitris Liolios was born and raised in the city of Chania in Greece in 1985. He is a second generation dental technician, and since 2006 he is the co-owner of the ''Liolios-Dental Art Center'' dental laboratory in his hometown, alongside his father and sister. He specialises in cosmetic anterior cases, complex full mouth cases and implant cases and he is an expert CAD CAM user. He has attended various courses with renowned masters such as Gerald Ubassy, August Bruguera, Nondas Vlachopoulos, Stefan Picha, Skip Carpenter, Jungo Endo among others. He has been lecturing and demonstrating both nationally and internationally since 2015. He is a Key Opinion Leader for GC Aadva Lab Scanner and Asiga 3d Printers.

Qualifications: CDT

When digital dentures were launched a few years ago, the market went from crazy excited to hugely disappointed in a matter of months.  The combination of poor software, limited teeth, and badly printed or milled bases, stopped this movement in its tracks.  Several years later we have seen a huge progression in the technology and materials - this lecture looks at all aspects of this.  

Speakers Davide (‘the Digital’) and Chris (‘the Analog’) share the story of their journey in pursuit of a digital denture that beats an analog one in terms of function and aesthetics.  A roller coaster of successes and failures, this lecture is an open and true tale of an incredible story of innovation and creating the ultimate perfect digital denture.  Have they found it? Listen in to find out.  

Learning Objectives

• To review the progression in the technology and materials associated with digital dentures in recent years
• To understand the process of creating the ultimate digital denture
• To compare the pros and cons of digital v analog dentures

Chris, a former art and design student, attained his GNVQ while working part time in a family run prosthetics lab after school. He started his career in prosthetics 25 years ago, learning most of his skills on the job and working closely with great dentists and experienced technicians from Harley street to Sydney and currently working in Oxfordshire at Byrnes.

With an eye for detail and artistic flare, Chris really likes the satisfaction he gets from playing a part in patients’ smiles and enjoys the freedom to be creative with all-things dental.

Having been with Byrnes for over 4 years, a digital lab leading the way, Chris is keen to see digital and analog work together and complement each other. While workflow is changing, and change is inevitable, Chris is passionate about the outcome remaining the same and that’s to obtain an excellent end result.

Qualifications: RDT

Davide is originally from Rome where he qualified and worked as a Dental Technician. He has lived in the UK since 2013, when he moved from his country with a definite purpose to make a difference in dental technology.  At present, he works at Byrnes dental laboratory, one of the most innovative digital dental labs across the board, based in Oxfordshire. Here he has the opportunity as a CAD Dental Technician to push the boundaries of digital dentistry by innovating and developing unique skills and materials and working closely with the prosthetics team.  His morning affirmation is: “I will make possible what is not possible”.

Qualifications: RDT

This lecture will take delegates on a journey through digital dental technology highlighting the use of zirconia as a restorative material. Having worked extensively in the field of digital dentistry for well over a decade, Stephen will aim to show a logical approach to dealing with cases from start to finish highlighting the multiple uses of zirconia on doth implant and tooth-borne restorations. In particular he will show how a combination of digital and an ‘Old School’ manual approach to processing this material is necessary to reach the optimum in aesthetics and function. Stephen will show the logic behind his method of ‘up scaling’ models to work on pre-sintered zirconia, as well as his techniques for colouring and finishing the cases.

Learning Objectives

• To acquire an understanding of ’scaling models’
• To understand the appropriate use of zirconia
• To acquire a better understanding of the processes involved in digital dentistry

Stephen qualified in Cape Town, South Africa in 1996, and in 1997 he achieved his higher diploma winning the award for student of the year. He went on to work in crown and bridge labs in South Africa for 3 years before moving to the UK.

Stephen has been involved in all aspects of dental technology over his career and since 2008has run his Laboratory in Cornwall specialising in aesthetic dentistry. His passion for the ‘art of dentistry’ is what drives him to continue to strive for perfection, and throughout his career Stephen has attended courses delivered by some of the top technicians in the industry. In a normal day Stephen works closely with his clients, seeing patients for custom shade matching and finishing.

Stephen is currently an opinion leader for GC Europe and GC Tech (the digital division of GC) and he has over 20 years experience in producing implant borne prostheses.

Qualifications: RDT (NHDDtech, South Africa)

What are the benefits of using digital workflows over analogue ones? Does this offer any unique advantages for the restorative team? This lecture will share my personal experience of our laboratory’s rapid growth and successful results, which have been attained through a digital workflow and reliable working relationships with our surgery partners. The lecture will share both the clinical and laboratory workflow benefits that a working relationship has provided for patients served by a restorative dental team.

Learning Objectives

•  To understand the benefits that digital workflows offer a dental team
• To understand the various restorative digital ecosystems and choice of workflows
• To understand the biological and functional benefits of using custom made devices produced with 3D printing over the traditional analogue methods
• To gain an overview of where these new systems will take the dental profession

Steve is a GDC registered dental technician with over 27 years dental experience, and a passion for the life changing service the dental team provide to our patients. Working with skilled teams and some of the most highly regarded dental surgeons in the UK, he provides solutions for all aspects of restorative dentistry, especially implants and the new digital and CAD/CAM workflows. Over time his passion for dental technology has evolved and intertwined with his love of cutting edge technology to the point where he found it possible to open and run a fully digital dental laboratory with his team at Nexus Dental in 2015. Since then the opportunities and challenges keep him very busy! When not in the lab he will usually be found at a dental event either learning from his peers or representing one of the many dental organisations he is fortunate enough to have been invited to work with, including his current role as President of the Dental Laboratories Association.

Qualifications: RDT

This presentation will provide a full, thorough and honest insight into utilising CAD and CAM processes in the Laboratory with a focus on increasing accuracy and repeatability. It will examine the advantages that pushing technology to the limit can give to the planning and manufacturing processes from the simple to the more complex ‘niche’ cases, with a focus on ExoCAD and its functions, and a wider look into the digital portfolio that is on offer to help tackle any complexity of case. Expect an honest overview that does not hide any skeletons in the closet. Although digital technology can be used across the board for better results, sometimes there are hurdles followed by pitfalls. A ‘rush to market’ means that we have to be careful that the digital application is fully ready and fit for purpose. If we can properly evaluate the technology before we use it, we can avoid going back to the drawing board with any treatment plan.

Learning Objectives

• To learn how to use digital technology in the Lab to plan for aesthetic and repeatable results no matter the case complexity
• To learn how the many functions of CAD (ExoCAD) can help technicians to realise more aesthetic and mechanically stronger restorations
• To learn how to utilise the time saving and functions of CAD-CAM processes to delve deeper and provide better treatment

With a strong foundation on the bench coupled with a keen interest and understanding in digital technology, James employs the latest CAD-CAM techniques to provide functional and cosmetic excellence. Starting his career in a well known laboratory with CAD-CAM equipment, James first made his foundation in dental technology on the bench. Learning traditional techniques in the lab with a strong focus in implantology drove him to utilise technology to help provide a boosted increase in reliability and quality. With a true passion for dentistry and technology, James has spent years honing his skills with CAD-CAM but without forgetting the importance of the traditional, often opting for a joint approach. James runs AesthetiCAD, which provides design, training and consultancy services for digital dental technology as well as working with Andrew Fairbanks at Fairbanks Dental Laboratories to continue to provide clinicians with aesthetic excellence.

Qualifications: RDT

In this lecture I will discuss ways to survive and thrive in a fast moving dental world. 

I will give an honest and open account of everyday life in a modern commercial lab, everything from the systems and techniques employed to the nuances associated with them.

The presentation will also cover case studies and reviews of many differing cases from my career of varying success and failure, and how my dental team has overcome some common and not so common problems.

The lecture will aim to inspire delegates to do better and to highlight how the trend for just good enough has become widespread and how distancing yourself from the crowd has never been easier.

Delegates will also learn some very simple but highly effective ceramic and composite tips to help improve implant restorations.

Learning Objectives

• To gain an overview of the systems and techniques employed in a modern commercial lab
• To understand how to overcome problems with digital dentistry
• To gain effective ceramic and composite tips to help improve implant restorations

Phil Reddington has been a dental technician for 26 years and he owns and runs a cosmetic and implant laboratory in Leeds UK. Phil’s specialist interest is in dental ceramics and he lectures and demonstrates for Cendres Métaux and Creation internationally.Phil has been a regular on the international lecture circuit for the past 9 years presenting at many symposiums and forums in the USA, Japan, Korea, Germany, Italy , Greece, Canada and the UK. Recent lectures have been for esteemed organisations such as the ITI, ADI, BAAD and AO. Phil has also recently lectured on the main stage at Masters in Kiev and Ceramists No Limits in Poland, two of the highest profile international technician events. These presentations have covered a variety of subjects such as lab to surgery communication, dental materials, CAD/CAM solutions, guided surgery, high performance polymers, the BDT technique and most recently digital and analogue tips tricks glitches and how to save them. Phil continues to work at the bench daily and enjoys the hands on ceramic layering more than ever.

Qualifications: RDT MDTA BIDST DTG