AES 2027 Annual Scientific Meeting

The clinical case will present diagnosis, treatment planning, and treatment of a patient whose TM joint derangement effected the occlusion requiring stabilization of the joint and then treatment of the teeth and occlusion.
The learning objectives will be to observe the process of diagnosis, treatment planning, and treatment of a patient whose joint pathology impacted the teeth/occlusion. This case is to setup the follow-on long form speaker Dr. John Droter.

This presentation traces the evolution of understanding musculoskeletal orofacial pains (including temporomandibular disorders or TMDs) from a historically dominant mechanical model—focused primarily on occlusion, bite forces, joint alignment, and structural issues—to a contemporary multidimensional biopsychosocial framework. While not advocating for the abandonment of intraoral orthotics, attendees will be encouraged to explore how evidence has challenged the oversimplified mechanical view, revealing pain as a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social contributors. The session highlights key paradigm shifts supported by current research, including the potential limitations of occlusal-centric approaches, the role of central pain processing, comorbidities, potential red flags and integrated management strategies. Through clinical examples, diagnostic insights, and practical takeaways, participants will gain a refreshed perspective on assessment and care that prioritizes patient-centered, evidence-based, multidisciplinary approaches.

A patient’s ability to bite into foods and chew comfortably is dependent on how the front teeth contact. Disharmonious anterior tooth contact causes disharmonious muscle function leading to overworked and sore muscles. A harmonious anterior guidance is not the same for every patient and will change with damage to the temporomandibular joint. We will go over what changes need to be made to the front teeth to restore comfort and function when there is jaw joint damage.
You will Learn:
How front tooth contacts affect muscle contraction.
Some patients can clench full power on their front teeth, most can not, and how this affects treatment decisions.
Subtle changes to the shape of the front teeth can have a major effect on muscle function and comfort.
The importance of crossover and flats.

The fundamentals of canine guidance are well established. This presentation will update the scientific data on the validity of canine guidance along with the esthetic parameters pertaining to canine morphology. Finally, it will discuss the restorative management in case of constricted canine pathway.
Learning objectives
1. Correlation between canine guidance, wear rate and non-carious cervical lesions.
2. Esthetic Dimensions of Canines.
3. Management of restricted or constricted canine pathways.

In today’s evolving dental profession, the traditional model of the isolated solo practitioner is being transformed. This program will explore how to redefine your "daily practice" by embracing a highly connected, interdisciplinary approach to patient care. By bridging traditional foundation esthetic principles with contemporary digital workflows, clinical cases will be presented that highlight the power of collaboration between clinicians, specialists, and laboratories.
Progressing from simple, straightforward scenarios to complex, multi-disciplinary rehabilitations, this session will demonstrate how breaking out of isolated practice models and integrating classic methods with the latest technologies enhances esthetic and functional outcomes.
Learning Objectives
Redefine Collaborative Workflows.
Execute Complex Clinical Scenarios.
Enhance Material Predictability.

Success in peri-implant plastic therapy is not measured in months, but in years. The treatment and prevention of mucosal dehiscences around implants represents one of the greatest clinical challenges due to the anatomical and biological differences compared to natural teeth. In this session, we will analyze evidence-based surgical protocols to prevent and correct these defects, focusing on the tunneling technique, coronally advanced flaps, and the use of connective tissue grafts. We will explore the critical factors that determine long-term stability, such as the thickness of the peri-implant mucosa and the management of the prosthetic emergence profile in malpositioned implants. The goal is to provide the clinician with the diagnostic keys and technical execution necessary to achieve predictable and maintainable results. Clinical cases with medium- and long-term follow-up will be discussed to identify why some treatments fail while others maintain optimal integration after years of monitoring

This lecture and live demonstration will show injection molding performed in different situations and procedures. It can be done direct, indirect and with different matrices. Learning how to stage cases by utilizing composite resin can allow patients to have treatment achieved over time. How to close black triangles and spaces will be discussed and demonstrated. The techniques learned can be implemented immediately into practice on Monday morning.

The indirect restoration gives us the opportunity to create dentistry that is carefully planned, tested and executed. Utilizing diagnostic and treatment planning technology, we have the unique ability to visualize our finished product before a blur ever touches the tooth. In addition, we can often test our planned restoration in provisionals, to ensure proper esthetic and functional outcomes are reached. Utilizing a predetermined goal aids in visualizing our finished product, and can help dictate decisions when treatment challenges arrive along the way. Our objective is a long-lasting, esthetic and functionally sound restoration. Beginning with that goal in mind creates consistency, simplicity and predictability in our dentistry - from a single tooth to a full-mouth rehabilitation.

CAD/CAM technology continues to transform restorative dentistry, offering efficient, patient-centered workflows through intraoral scanning and chairside or laboratory-based manufacturing. A wide range of restorative materials—including ceramics, composite resins, metals, and hybrid materials—are now available through subtractive (milling) processes. However, the mechanical, optical, and physical properties of CAD/CAM materials may differ from those fabricated using conventional techniques, influencing their clinical performance and longevity. This course provides an evidence-based overview of contemporary CAD/CAM restorative materials, with emphasis on understanding material properties, manufacturing methods, and clinical indications.

Modern restorative dentistry often feels complex and fragmented. Small workflow breakdowns lead to remakes, wasted chair time, and team frustration. This session introduces a structured framework for simplifying complex problems by breaking them into manageable systems.
Identify common breakdowns in digital restorative workflows.
Apply a structured system to simplify complex clinical or laboratory challenges.
Improve communication between clinician and laboratory teams.
Implement proactive quality control measures to reduce remakes.
Increase case predictability through workflow standardization.

Successful complex restorative cases require more than technical excellence- they demand thoughtful planning, clear communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and efficient workflows. This course follows the complete restorative journey from the patient's discovery through diagnosis, comprehensive treatment planning, laboratory communication, digital smile design, interdisciplinary care, provisionalization, and the final outcome.
Participants will discover a practical, systematic approach that improves predictability, enhances the patient experience, and leads to exceptional functional and esthetic outcomes.

In this lecture, we will pivot from a purely mechanical view of the stomatognathic system to a biopsychosocial approach. While occlusion and joint anatomy are vital, emerging research suggest that up to 75% of patients with TMD have a significant psychosomatic component. Drawing from Dr. Gabor Maté's work in "When the Body Says No," we will explore how chronic, often subconscious stress and early life trauma can manifest as persistent and orofacial pain and degeneration of the TM Joint.
Learning Objectives
By the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Define the Biopsychosocial Model.
2. Identify the "Stress-Prone Personality."
3. Map the Neurobiology of Clenching.
4. Implement Compassionate Inquiry in Diagnosis.
5. Differentiate "Pain" from "Suffering."
6. Expand Treatment Beyond the Splint.

Dental professionals often examine the physical aspects of wellness yet we rarely explore or discuss the mental aspects. It is time to remove the taboo and face the facts. Anxiety, pain, depression, burnout. Dentistry can be difficult and take a toll. Studies show us that dental professionals experience a high incidence of mental illness. Additionally, many dental professionals don’t clearly understand the mental health conditions that our patients present with, which red flags to watch for or what to do/how to intervene. Presented in Dr. Joshua Austin’s trademark comedic style, this course explores strategies for working together to improve mental health so we can be our best. Learn how to recognize triggers and warning signs. Identify essential tools and resources. Discover how and when to refer to a mental health professional. Explore and understand mental health terms, common treatments and therapy options. Gain coping mechanisms and learn how to manage expectations – both our own
and those of our patients. Eligible for Clinical CE. AGD code: 750, 150.