Oral Surgery for the General Practitioner: Faster, Easier, and More Predictable

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Friday, June 2, 2023 & Saturday, June 3, 2023 | 9 am – 5 pm (both days)
This is a hands-on course. Limited attendance.

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Instructor: Karl Koerner, DDS

Clinical Director of Oral Surgery at Intermountain Dental Associates, Utah and Adjunct Professor of Oral Surgery at Roseman College of Dental Medicine in Utah.

Dr. Koerner has presented hundreds of didactic and participation oral surgery courses at all the major U.S. meetings, at the state level, and internationally.  His hands-on courses use life-like models on which participants do several different surgeries. Though not an oral surgeon, he has practiced oral surgery for the last 16 years.

Dr. Koerner is the author of many articles on various aspects of oral surgery for the general dentist and has authored and co-authored several books. He has been featured in DVDs for the profession including three made with Dr. Gordon Christensen on difficult extractions, third molar surgery, and medical emergencies. He is past president of the Utah Dental Association and the Utah Academy of General Dentistry.

He has organized and conducted many humanitarian trips to China (patient treatment and teaching other dentists) since 2006 and speaks fluent Chinese.  At the 2010 National AGD Meeting he received the Thaddeus V. Weclew Award for his contributions to General Dentistry and continuing education.

Overview

Many extractions look easy but can soon become difficult, time consuming, and lead to complications.  This course reviews the best techniques and instruments to perform “surgical” extractions easily and quickly while conserving bone. From that primary emphasis, Dr. Drollinger branches to other related surgery subjects that use many of the same instruments and principles.

These include:

• The most common suturing techniques and materials
• Avoiding sinus problems
• Predictable socket grafting techniques (without company hype)
• Ridge preparation for immediate dentures
• Bleeding management during surgery
• Review of moderate third molar impaction essentials (anatomy and step-by-step guidelines)
• Anxiety control for apprehensive surgery patients
• I&D in general practice, discussion of antibiotic usage
• Incisional/excisional biopsies
• Bisphosphonates
• Other discussions as time permits

Hands-on Session: 

This part of the course uses life-like dentoform models on which surgical procedures are performed.

The following procedures will be done on the models:

• Full-thickness mucoperiosteal flaps (envelope and triangular)
• Suturing (interrupted/surgeon’s knot, cross-suture, continuous-lock)
• Surgical extractions (multiple root-tip removals with several different methods)
• Alveoloplasty
• Socket grafting (bone graft and barrier membrane)
• Moderate third molar impaction (mesioangular)
• Excisional biopsy
• Incision and drainage

Course Objectives

At the end of the course, participants will be better able to:

• More easily do “surgical” or difficult extractions that frequently occur in general practice
• Be more proficient at ridge preparation for immediate dentures
• Select appropriate socket grafting cases and have the knowledge to do them successfully
• Prevent and/or manage bleeding problems that can occur during oral surgery
• Understand patient selection and risks of third molar surgery along with step-by-step – how to do moderate third molar impactions
• Perform oral surgery according to current standards of care

Teaching Method: Lecture and participation

Recommended for: General dentists and specialists

Testimonials

“I had a wonderful time, a very clinically relevant course and the instructor was excellent.” – Dr. Ariane Namiranian, November 2017

“Great course! I will be recommending this course to my colleagues.” – Dr. Tanvi Kapadia, December 2016

“The hands-on component of this course really brought the lecture material together and was a great experience for anyone interested in using surgical skills to aid in predictable, atraumatic exodontia.” – Dr. Michael Goldie, December 2016

Additional Information

Breakfast and lunch will be provided on both days.  Parking is available at a discounted rate.

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