New techniques for straightforward and predictable composite restorations are being taught by international lecturer and award winner, Jason Smithson. General dentists had the opportunity to learn and practise at a recent hands-on training event at the Madejski Stadium in Reading.
Jason outlined a novel method for rapid restoration of deep class I and II cavities avoiding post-operative sensitivity. The innovative placement technique, known as ‘the simplified concept’, ensures the creation of ideal interproximal contacts, requiring very little occlusal adjustment and almost no polishing. According to Jason “All this is achieved in an acceptable
timeframe for the busy general practitioner using only two instruments, a no.6 probe and a microbrush. Dentistry encompasses science, art and mechanical engineering.The competent operator must be a master of all three disciplines.”
He recommends Heraeus Kulzer Simple and profitable Venus Pearl for both anterior and posterior composite restorations, explaining “placement is easy, with no sticking or slump. I can use a simple approach to layering and achieve great aesthetics.”
During the one-day programme, entitled ‘Profitable Concepts’, Jason discussed the three main challenges faced by all dentists in direct resin placement; how to achieve invisible restorations, how to avoid post operative sensitivity and how to place adjustment-free restorations.
The presentation began by covering the art of the anterior direct composite, describing the protocol required to produce a class IV restoration that is invisible to the human eye. Jason Smithson then gave a more technical analysis of the ‘probe and brush’ process to prepare and place a posterior composite resin restoration which requires no, or little, occlusal adjustment.
Jason gave delegates hints and tips on improving their skills to consistently match patients’ dentition. He says that the purpose of the course was to “help dentists deliver seamless, natural-looking restorations in everyday practice by following simple and efficient protocols”.
Attendees had the opportunity to carry out hands-on training to learn how to create natural morphology, while saving on finishing time, for a class I molar. They also undertook a second exercise to learn how to avoid grey show-through and create a seamless transition for a class IV central incisor.
James Pugh of Nyewood Dental Practice, Bognor Regis attended the event and commented, “Jason Smithson is a great speaker with the ability to make seemingly complex techniques appear entirely logical and achievable in general practice. Being able to
spend over half the day doing hands-on training really clarified the ‘Smithson technique’ in my mind and gave me some confidence to try it out on my patients.“