Digital Dentistry in Complex Aesthetic and Functional Rehabilitation
Digital Dentistry in Complex Aesthetic and Functional Rehabilitation
Course overview
Join one of dentistry’s most sought-after experts, Dr. John Cranham, as he guides you through evidence-based strategies and digital workflows for full-mouth rehabilitation and the treatment of worn dentition.
Throughout the course, you will explore the causes of tooth wear and erosion, emphasizing early detection and minimally invasive treatment strategies. As cases increase in complexity, the program integrates digital records and virtual articulation to enable precise planning for both aesthetic and functional rehabilitation.
During this course, you will learn:
The three distinct pathways to integrating digital dentistry into your practice
F.A.E.S.A.D. treatment planning method developed by Dr. John Cranham
Virtual articulation and occlusal planning techniques
Aesthetic and occlusal planning for porcelain veneers and elective aesthetic cases
Digitally-driven full-mouth rehabilitation protocols.
Key areas of focus include the evaluation of aesthetic, occlusal, biological, and structural considerations, with particular attention to vertical dimension management and treatment sequencing—whether the rehabilitation is staged over time or completed in a single phase.
Course lessons
Lesson 1. Etiologies of Wear: Attrition, Abrasion, Erosion. Part 1
The various mechanical, chemical, and functional causes of tooth wear
The differences between occlusal wear and erosion as distinct causes
Anterior and posterior wear in terms of etiology, presentation, and clinical implications.
Lesson 2. Etiologies of Wear: Attrition, Abrasion, Erosion. Part 2
The role of parafunctional habits, such as bruxism or clenching, in accelerating wear patterns
Identifying systemic or dietary contributors to chemical erosion
Understanding how wear progresses over time and how compensatory mechanisms can mask its severity.
Lesson 3. Aesthetic Goals Using Smile Design Principles
How to assess and define aesthetic outcomes using smile design principles, facial references, and digital planning tools
How to analyze lip dynamics and tooth display at rest and during function
The role of facial midline, incisal edge position, and smile arc in aesthetic planning
Digital smile design tools to visualize and communicate proposed changes
How to mock up aesthetic plans for patient communication and case acceptance
Incorporate gingival contouring or crown lengthening to optimize tissue position.
Lesson 4. Occlusal and Functional Goals
Establishing functional occlusal schemes based on centric relation and vertical dimension
Importance of a stable, repeatable reference position (e.g., centric relation)
Evaluation and definition of the patient’s functional envelope
Determination and clinical verification of the appropriate vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO)
Planning anterior guidance and posterior disclusion to protect restorations and reduce muscle strain
Recognition and proactive management of occlusal instability.
Lesson 5. Digital Records and Virtual Articulation
The essential digital data sets required for treatment planning:
Intraoral scans
CBCT
Photography.
Facially driven workflows on virtual articulators
How to use virtual articulation to simulate occlusion and function
Protocols of facially generated treatment planning for functional and aesthetic outcomes
Digital workflows to increase accuracy and interdisciplinary communication
How to verify and cross-reference records to avoid errors in mounting and design.
Lesson 6. F.A.E.S.A.D. Treatment Planning Method
Integration of functional, aesthetic, and structural considerations into a cohesive, patient-centered plan
FAESAD approach for visualization of precise tooth position on a virtual articulator prior to preparation
Sequencing complex treatment into logical, manageable phases
Effective collaboration with specialists, laboratories, and interdisciplinary team members
Clear communication with patients using visual tools and phased treatment options
Flexibility while preserving the long-term restorative vision.
Lesson 7. Vertical Dimension and Phasing Full-Arch Dentistry. Part 1
Determination of when full-arch or full-mouth cases should be segmented due to financial, clinical, or patient factors
Planning provisionals and temporization strategies to preserve vertical and occlusal goals
Evaluation and definition of the patient’s functional envelope
Determination and clinical verification of the appropriate vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO).
Lesson 8. Vertical Dimension and Phasing Full-Arch Dentistry. Part 2
Use of digital records to maintain consistency across appointments
Printing resin ceramic “toppers” for segmenting full-mouth rehabilitations
Documentation of progress and adaptation of the treatment plan without compromising final outcomes
Analysis of clinical cases.
Lesson 9. Full-Mouth Rehabilitation at Once
Digital planning and staging of full-mouth cases for one-time execution
Coordination of records, mock-ups, and guides to ensure same-day predictability
Orchestration of staffing and scheduling to manage long appointments smoothly
Establishment of checkpoints for aesthetics, occlusion, and phonetics during provisional phase and final delivery
Implementation of post-operative protocols to ensure long-term success.
