Amara Institute

Upcoming Courses

2008 Amara Course Schedule

September 19, 2008

Lecture Title:

An Evidence Based Comparitive Approach to Better Crown and Bridge

Presenter Bio:

Dr. Dean Mersky, a 1976 graduate of the University of Detroit, School of Dentistry, practiced in Manhattan Beach, California for 26 years. Currently, Dr. Mersky serves as the director of clinical communication for the Captek Company.

Dr. Mersky’s dental practice was concentrated in the areas of treatment of the TMJ, dental reconstruction, and cosmetic dentistry. His expertise with Captek restorations comes from the almost 2,000 Captek crowns and bridges that he has placed, and the many different uses and clinical trials he has contributed to. Additionally, Dr Mersky has authored many articles on restorative materials in the general practice, and has lectured for clinicians and technicians nationally for past several years, including dental societies, study clubs, and for national laboratory associations. Dr. Mersky’s articles have been published in the Journal of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics, Dentistry Today, AGD, Journal of Dental Technology, and the Florida Dental Lab Association.

Dr. Mersky is an accredited member of the American Association of Dental Aesthetics. He and his family currently reside in Doylestown, PA.

 

Lecture Summary:

There was an earlier time in dentistry where one was more concerned with techniques rather than materials. Now, with the advent of all-ceramics, CAD/CAM, and adhesion dentistry, a dentist needs to be both clinician and chemist. Unfortunately, formal education and the information offered by manufacturers often fall short of today’s demands. Finding and interpreting applicable research regarding available materials can be just as daunting.

Recognizing these problems, Dr. Dean Mersky has prepared a research-based comparative overview of crown and bridge systems to help doctors gain a clearer understanding of materials, their uses and limitations. Materials discussed will include traditional PFM's, Captek supported porcelain, all-ceramic materials, impressions, and cements and adhesives. Each point of discussion will be accompanied by supporting independent research. Attendees should expect to gain a deeper appreciation of why various materials work (and don't work) and in which situations they are best suited.


September 26, 2008

Lecture Title: Using the RED Proportion to Design the Perfect Smile

Presenter Bio:

Dr Daniel H Ward is an Assistant Clinical Professor at The Ohio State University and in private practice in Columbus, Ohio. He has lectured at the Post-Graduate Program in Esthetic Dentistry at the University of Minnesota, SUNY Buffalo, UMKC, and the University of Florida and served as chief examiner. He is a fellow in the American College of Dentists, fellow of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics, fellow in the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and a fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry.

Dr. Ward serves as editor of the ASDA Journal. He has published articles in the Journal of Prosthodontics, Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, Dental Clinics of North America, Compendium, Collaborative, Dentistry Today, Inside Dentistry, and Contemporary Esthetics and Restorative Practice. He authored the “Test Yourself” columns published in Esthetic Dentistry Update.

Dr. Ward has lectured throughout the world. He was invited to present to the annual meetings of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Society for Dental Aesthetics, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the International Aesthetic Congress in Istanbul, Turkey, and the UNAM International Congress in Mexico City. He has lectured in India, Poland, Korea and numerous dental societies and associations throughout the Midwest.

Dr. Ward has published about smile design, posterior composites, and digital dental photography. He has developed an innovative computerized method of smile design called the RED Proportion. An innovative pioneer, Dr Ward combines theory with practical real world experience.


Lecture Summary:

Behind the artistic elements of smile design are basic objective principles that satisfy the requirements for beautiful smiles. Research has revealed the proportions that are preferred by dentists. Discover the secrets of proportional smile analysis and design using the “RED” Proportion. Learn how to confidently determine the ideal smile for your patients prior to initiating active treatment. This course is a must for dentists wishing to achieve predictable aesthetic success.

Learning Objectives

1-Understand the use of digital photography in analyzing a smile

2-Learn the ideal smile components

3-Evaluate a smile using the “FIVE” technique

4-Utilize the “RED Proportion” to design the ideal smile

5-Communicate the three essential elements with the cosmetic periodontist

6-Prepare a “smile blueprint” prior to treatment

Subjects Presented

1-Objective Smile Evaluation

2- Ideal Smile Components

3- Use of Digital Dental Photography and Computer Imaging

4- Proportional Smile Design

5- RED Proportion

6-Creating a Smile Blueprint

7-Role of Periodontics in Advanced Smile Design Cases


October 24-25, 2008

HANDS-ON Workshop Title: Photography/Shade Taking

Presenter Bio:

Dr. Ed Mclaren www.oralfacialarts.com

Lecture Summary:

A Two-Day Hands On Workshop: Photography, Shade Taking (visual and computerized), Photoshop and PowerPoint for communication and dental esthetics.

This 2-day workshop will cover the most effective use of computerized and visual shade taking systems along with data comparing the efficacy of computerized systems to visual shade taking. The participants will learn the step-by-step process of taking visual and computer shades, and how to effectively communicate to the ceramist this information. Also taught will be the most current digital camera and flash systems most suited for dental photography. This workshop will feature photographic techniques and Photoshop manipulation to enhance the shade taking process and simple and effective techniques for dental and portrait photography. Use and instruction in producing PowerPoint presentations for case presentations to patients will be part of the workshop.

The objective of the course is three-fold: (1) To learn the use of digital photography for dental esthetics, photography for shade communication and portrait photography. (2) To learn and use digital shade taking technology, and master the skills of visual shade taking. (3) How to import images into Photoshop and how to optimize the images and import them into a customized PowerPoint presentation. The course will also cover the use of photography as it relates to dentist-ceramist communication relative to shade analysis. Also covered will be the AACD accreditation series of images. All of the above topics will be covered in a lecture and demonstration format. The participants will then divide up into teams and will take visual and computerized shades on each other. Then the teams will take the demonstrated dental and portrait images on each other. Lastly, the participants will import their images into Photoshop to optimize the images, which will then be exported to a PowerPoint presentation. All shade taking and photographic equipment will be supplied. The participants will need to bring a lap top computer configured with Photoshop and PowerPoint. We will have a few computers available but not enough for every participant.