Prof. Christoph Hammerle is the Chairman of the Clinic of Reconstructive Dentistry, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland. He is certified in prosthodontics and periodontics and holds a specialist degree in implant dentistry of the Swiss Society of Odontology. He's clinical focus is on the comprehensive treatment of complex, partially edentulous patients applying all available options of reconstructive dentistry including dental implants. His main scientific interests encompass biological and technological aspects of fixed reconstructions on teeth and implants as part of the overall restorative treatment concept. Specific areas include hard and soft tissue augmentation, imaging techniques, computer aided planning and execution of treatment, clinical application and processing aspects of ceramics, composits and hybrid materials.
Registration -->

A successful and predicable implant therapy starts with a systemic and local risk assessment. Modern radiological and clinical diagnoses comprise of anatomical as well as prosthetic aspects. Capturing of patient data including intra- and extra-oral scans as well as 3-D radiographs combined with computer aided planning software allow mimicking the desired end result already during the planning phase. Presently this is the optimal way to later obtain the initially foreseen result by turning this simulated aim into a clinical reality.

Timing of implant placement is of great importance. Immediately after tooth extraction biological processes are initiated, which lead to bone resorption including the buccal wall and to soft tissue alterations resulting in buccal recession. In sites with a thin tissue biotype and a lack of keratinized mucosa or soft tissue deficiencies, additional soft tissue regeneration techniques are mandatory before implant placement or bone regeneration.

The use of GBR in conjunction with the placement of dental implants has become a clinically well-documented and successful procedure. Defect morphology and the amount of bone regeneration are responsible for the choice of materials. Data have shown that dehiscences, fenestrations and infra-bony defects can successfully be treated with resorbable membranes and xenogenic membrane supporting materials. In order to minimize the tissue alterations occurring following tooth extraction, ridge preservation procedures can be applied in selected clinical situations.

Recently, soft tissue augmentation procedures have moved into the focus of esthetic implant therapies. Transplantation of autogenous soft tissue grafts is considered the treatment of choice in such situations. These transplantations are, however, associated with significant patient morbidity. Hence, recent scientific research has been aimed at developing autogenous soft tissue graft replacements. Collagenous compounds hold a lot of promise for replacing the autogenous soft tissue during augmentation of soft tissue volume for functional and esthetic purposes.
Регистрация -->

Whereas initial integration of implants can successfully be achieved, the prevention and the management of peri-implant diseases are becoming topics of rising importance. A large number of factors contribute to loss of peri-implant supporting bone and soft tissue. Anti-infective as well as tissue reconstructive therapeutical approaches have demonstrated positive outcomes and help to maintain affected implants.

In more complex situations not only implant therapy is conducted but also teeth are prepared to receive some form of dental restoration. Once teeth are prepared and implants are placed the subsequent steps may be performed along conventional or digital pathways. Digital ones may today replace many of the traditional steps necessary for the fabrication of reconstructions. In the light of the large variety of restorative materials available, choosing the ideal material and manufacturing processes in a given clinical situation has become a challenge.

The optimal results will only be achieved, when all these aspects are duly considered and the therapy is executed according to these processes.
Registration -->

The International course of Prof. Christoph Hammerle will take place in Istanbul on October 28, 2022.
Registration -->