SPEAKER: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR TINO MERCADO
TOPIC: Oral professionals better managing critical size defects through progress and innovation.

VENUE: University of Otago - Hunter Centre Seminar Room, 632 Leith Street, Dunedin

SYNOPSIS:
Critical size defects are defined as wounds in soft tissue and bone that will not heal completely during the patient's lifetime. Various factors, including the patient's size, concentration of growth factors, duration of the defect, and the presence of infection, can significantly influence the healing process. The management of critical size defects typically requires surgical interventions, such as autologous bone grafting, guided bone regeneration, xenografts, and the use of biologically active materials. This presentation will focus on the surgical techniques, matrices, biologically active materials, and suturing methods utilized by dental practitioners in the management of critical size defects. It will provide an in-depth examination of both traditional and novel clinical applications of Enamel Matrix Derivative (EMDOGAIN) for addressing bone defects, extraction sockets, and oral ulcers. The speaker will present recent findings related to the combination of EMDOGAIN with connective tissue grafts for managing periodontal recessions of varying severity. Additionally, the presentation will discuss other clinical applications of EMDOGAIN, including its use in the reparative and regenerative management of peri-implantitis, procedures for alveolar ridge management, and overall wound healing. Finally, the discussion will include emerging biologically active materials, such as Regenfast and Gem 21.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Understanding the characteristics of critical-sized defects.
2. Comprehension of wound healing processes, including the differences between repair and regeneration.
3. Familiarity with the various biomaterials and their matrices.
4. Awareness of the available biologically active materials and their applications.
5. Understanding the fundamentals of mucogingival surgeries and their clinical indications.
6. Knowledge of both non-surgical and surgical strategies for the management of peri-implantitis.
7. Familiarity with techniques for effective alveolar ridge management.