Additive Dentistry

Dr. Francesca Vailati

Now in its 14th year, the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) is aiming to make 2017’s Annual Conference the best yet, thanks to a prestigious lineup of world-class speakers and three days of lectures, presentations and hands-on sessions. As such, the academy is delighted to include in this year’s lineup an exclusive lecture by Dr Francesca Vailati.

Vailati graduated in medicine from the University of Bari in Italy before pursuing her dental education at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. Specialising in prosthodontics, she returned to Europe with an MSD degree and joined the fixed prosthodontic department at the University of Geneva, where she remains as a senior lecturer. She has contributed to many articles in the field of restorative dentistry, and lectures worldwide on a variety of topics related to full-mouth adhesive rehabilitation and implant prosthodontics. Her experience and expertise will be brought to bear during her session, titled ‘Adhesive Additive Rehabilitation’, at the annual conference.

‘Dental wear is a frequently underestimated pathology that nowadays affects an increasing number of individuals, not only for the excessive presence of acid in the mouth, but also because of parafunctional habits’, Vailati says. ‘Instead of leaving these dentitions to degrade further, a noninvasive (additive) intervention should be proposed, based on an increase of vertical dimension of occlusion, or VDO.’

On this basis, the dentist will explain to delegates how to plan and execute more comprehensive rehabilitations, and will introduce a detailed three-step technique that will help simplify clinical protocols and enhance results. ‘This includes diagnosis, data collection and treatment planning, which come together as a different way of approaching patients’, Vailati says.

By the end of her lecture, delegates will have been exposed to the differences between additive and subtractive dentistry, as well as being shown how to make an initial diagnosis on the cause of tooth wear. ‘Delegates will also understand the rationale behind the planning of a full-mouth additive adhesive rehabilitation,’ says Vailati. ‘We will also look at a variety of treated cases, to realise the potential applications of this technique, and its applicability in different situations other than dental erosion.’

Vailati’s lecture fits well with the focus of this year’s annual conference—“FAB: Function, Aesthetics, Biology”—and will provide aspiring dental professionals an inspiring insight into noninvasive techniques.

During the conference, delegates will also be treated to a trade show where they can learn more about the latest equipment and materials available on the market. In the evenings, they’ll be able to let their hair down and enjoy socialising at BACD dinners, which can be a great opportunity for professionals to meet new, like-minded colleagues and reconnect with old friends.

The BACD Annual Conference is always one of the most highly anticipated events in the professional calendar of UK dentistry, and this year will be no different.