Objective

The Postgraduate Diploma of the University of Genoa, Italy is a one-year international training program designed to offer comprehensive training in all aspects of digital dentistry. The course shall define a level of competence that is consistent with an experienced clinician. The goal of the curriculum is to provide dentists with a scientifically based rationale for all diagnostic, treatment planning, and patient care decisions. The course is designed to provide advanced evidence-based core knowledge in modern approach and to refine practical skills. 
The didactic format will include lectures, laboratory time, video review, literature review and an intensive hands-on practice. The training program includes topics such as treatment planning and smile design, intraoral scanning, CAD procedures, digital photography and digital radiography analysis and management. Emphasis is placed on the integration of this training program into the on-going practice of dentistry for each participant and the future benefit for dental patients.  

The teaching faculty is selected from members of the University of Genova and Accredited International Specialists in Digital Dentistry. The international training program is directed by Prof. Stefano Benedicenti and coordinated by DDS Successful completion of the course and final examination shall be recognized by the presentation of a certificate: “Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Dentistry” and a transcript of records legalized by the Italian government providing 10 ECTS ( 250 credit hours with 72 hours of theoretical lessons and hands on, 153 hours of individual study and 25 hours of thesis preparation ).

Course Structure

The course is comprised of six “two-day” modules. 

Module I

• Opening Ceremony.  
• Overview on University of Genova activities.
• Literature review on Digital Dentistry.
• In depth overview on intramural scanners.  
• In depth overview 3D printing in Dentistry.  
• Demo – intraoral scanning.
• In depth overview on CAD/CAM procedures.
• In depth Deep overview on milling machines.
• In depth overview on new dental materials.  
• Digital workflow in Dental Practice.  
• Hands-on – intraoral scanning.  

Module II

• Diagnosis in Restorative Dentistry.  
• Partial Restorations in Restorative Dentistry.  
• Digital workflow in Restorative Dentistry.
• Intraoral scanner in Restorative Dentistry.
• Aesthetic and Restorative materials management.
• Practical skills in intraoral scanning.  
• Practical skills in CAD/CAM procedures.
• Hands-on – Practical Restorations and Scanning.  
• Restorative digital dentistry.
• CAM possibilities in Restorative Dentistry.
• Digital management in Operative Dentistry.
• Aesthetic cases digital management.  
• Worn dentition and digital dentistry.  
• Posturology.  
• Digital management on functional-postural cases.  
• Surface electromyography.  
• Electronic bite map.
• Hands-on – CAM.
• Hands-on – Electromyography.

Module III

• Digital Dental Photography.  
• Camera settings and devices.  
• Smartphone in dental practice.
• Hands-on – Photography.  
• Digital smile preview.
• Digital software for smile.
• Hands-on – Digital smile designing.  

Module IV

• Base concepts of Classical 2D Radiology.
• Introduction to 3D Radiology.
• Radiology problems management.
• Patient preparation for 3D acquisition.
• 3D Acquisition.  
• DICOM files management.
• Patient preparation: Impressions.
• Analogic path Vs. Digital Path.
• Optical Scan management.
• STL files Workability and quality.

Guided Surgery Software overview.  

• Full development of a Guided Surgery case.
• Hands-on – Guided Surgery.  

Module V

• Overview in Laser Dentistry.
• Soft tissues management.  
• Decontamination.  
• Hands-on – Laser Dentistry.
• Frenectomy.  
• Gingivectomy.  
• Crown lengthening.  
• Hands-on – Laser Dentistry.  

Module VI

• Protocols and procedures for the production of prostheses on natural elements.
• Protocols and procedures for the execution of an implant prosthesis through the scan-abutment or marker.
• Protocol appropriate scanning.
• Definition of point, clouds and mesh.
• Demo about Exocad software.
• Evaluation of an intraoral scan and knowing how to recognize defects.
• CAD modeling in-office, what can be produced in the dental clinic and when it is better to use the dental Lab.
• Crown designing with finishing-line recognition and digital parameters attention.
• Properties of CAD/CAM materials, what to choose in relation to prosthetic problems.

• Hands-on – Exocad software (Each participant can be accompanied by a technician).

   

Clinical Requirements

The practical sessions will be based on the latest state-of-the-art for digital dentistry in anterior and posterior dentition, providing full digital workflow from diagnosis to finalization, using a variety of new technologies and materials.  

The practical sessions will comprise:

• Intraoral scanning.
• Restorations CAD/CAM restorations.
• Clinical case documentation.
• Photographic full template.
• Digital smile design.
• Teeth preparation, scanning and restoration luting procedures.
• New CAD/CAM materials management.  
• Radiological diagnosis.
• Surgical Guide planning.  
• Laser procedures on soft tissues.
• EXOCAD software management.
• Dental Lab procedures.
• Digital Dentist-Technician Teamwork.