The widespread use of implant-supported restorations to replace missing teeth brings a renewed focus on extraction techniques, particularly in the esthetic zone.

Restorative doctors who can remove a tooth without damaging the alveolar socket facilitate post-operative healing, ridge preservation, and implant placement, whether delayed or immediately following extraction.

To help doctors limit bone resorption post-extraction, Spear Education recently collaborated with the International Team of Implantology (ITI) to release a new dental continuing education course, “Exodontia in Preparation for Dental Implants” presented by periodontist Dr. Eduardo Lorenzana.

The new dental continuing education course from Spear teaches exodontia in preparation for dental implants.

New Dental Continuing Education Course Objectives:

  • Recall biological events that occur following tooth extraction.
  • Describe minimally invasive luxation and elevation techniques.
  • Discuss ridge preservation techniques.
  • Identify common complications related to ridge preservation, including prevention and solutions.

With implant placement in mind, this new video course describes several techniques doctors can use to predictably remove a hopeless tooth. “In this course, I begin by reviewing the anatomic characteristics of the alveolar bone and post-extraction socket and discuss the histologic and dimensional changes following tooth extraction,” said Dr. Lorenzana. “Having a deeper familiarity with the healing events following tooth extraction is an integral part of restoration-driven implant treatment planning,”

With advances in luxation techniques, several instruments that separate the tooth from the alveolus without damaging the buccal plate have been developed. In the course, Dr. Lorenzana shows the periotome, the powered periotome, proximator instruments powered luxation, and piezosurgery.

“Recently, new instruments and techniques were introduced that allow removal forces to be directed vertically for the immediate extraction of a failed tooth but without expansion of the alveolar socket walls. This minimizes trauma to the buccal plate and surrounding tissue,” Dr. Lorenzana said.

Dr. Lorenzana is a San Antonio, Texas-based periodontist who graduated from Baylor College of Dentistry. During his more than 20 years of practice, he has lectured nationally and internationally on dental implants, periodontal plastic surgery, periodontics, and esthetics. He is an involved member of the ITI and serves as its current study club coordinator for the United States.

Course Lessons Include:

  1. Extraction Socket Healing
  2. Minimally Invasive Extraction Techniques : Tradition Techniques
  3. Minimally Invasive Extraction Techniques : Luxation Techniques
  4. Ridge Preservation
  5. Ridge Preservation Complications

This is the second dental continuing education course released by Spear in collaboration with the ITI, the world's foremost comprehensive implant education and research organization. The combined expertise of both organizations leads more restorative dentists to expand their clinical knowledge, so they better serve their patients and perform higher levels of care.

Last year, Spear Online released “Utilizing the Esthetic Risk Assessment” presented by Dr. Will Martin, an original creator of the ITI's Esthetic Risk Assessment and current chair of the ITI U.S. Section.

By watching this new dental continuing education course, Spear members learn minimally traumatic extraction techniques to minimize damage to the alveolus, ridge preservation concepts, materials, and the prevention and management of common ridge preservation complications.