Mastering Biomimetic Onlay Restorations: Rationale, Materials, Armamentarium and Technique Essentials

Course Date and Duration:
May 17, 2025 (8 hours) – 8 CE credits

Target Audience:
Dentists seeking to improve skills in restorative techniques that mimic natural tooth structure

Course Format:
Lecture and hands-on workshop

Course Objectives

  1. Understand the principles of biomimetic dentistry and their application in onlay restorations.
  2. Learn techniques for deep margin elevation (DME) to manage subgingival margins.
  3. Gain proficiency in immediate dentin sealing (IDS) for enhancing bond durability and protecting dentin.
  4. Apply learned techniques in hands-on exercises to improve clinical outcomes in restorative cases.

Course Outline

1. Introduction to Biomimetic Onlays (Lecture – 45 minutes)

  • Definition and principles of biomimetic dentistry
  • Advantages of onlay restorations for preserving tooth structure
  • Overview of case selection and treatment planning for biomimetic onlays

2. Deep Margin Elevation (DME) (Lecture – 1 hour)

  • Definition and clinical indications for DME
  • Materials and equipment needed for DME
  • Step-by-step DME protocol
  • Common challenges and troubleshooting in DME
  • Case examples and discussion

3. Immediate Dentin Sealing (IDS) (Lecture – 1 hour)

  • Explanation of the immediate dentin sealing technique and rationale
  • Benefits of IDS for adhesion and longevity of restorations
  • Step-by-step IDS protocol, including materials and application
  • Integrating IDS with onlay restorations
  • Case studies demonstrating successful IDS application

Hands-On Workshop

4. Hands-On: Deep Margin Elevation (2 hours)

  • Demonstration of DME on a model tooth with a deep margin
  • Individual practice: Preparing a subgingival margin and applying DME
  • Instructor-led supervision, feedback, and troubleshooting

5. Hands-On: Immediate Dentin Sealing (2 hours)

  • Demonstration of IDS on a model tooth
  • Individual practice: IDS technique on a prepared tooth
  • Evaluation and critique by instructors with tips for improvement

6. Case Studies and Q&A Session (1 hour)

  • Presentation of clinical cases demonstrating biomimetic onlays with DME and IDS
  • Group discussion and Q&A
  • Recap of key points, materials, and protocols

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants should be able to:

  • Confidently perform deep margin elevation to address subgingival cavities.
  • Apply immediate dentin sealing for enhanced adhesion in onlay restorations.
  • Integrate biomimetic techniques into daily practice to improve restorative outcomes.