Developmental, Functional, and Occlusal Considerations in Restorative Practice – 2027
UPCOMING COURSE — ANTICIPATED FOR 2027
Developmental, Functional, and Occlusal Considerations in Restorative Practice – 2027
A practical approach to occlusion, function, TMD assessment, and restorative stability
- AGD Subject Code: 180 — Myofascial Pain/Occlusion
- Proposed Format: In-person, multi-session continuing education
- Credit Hours: To be announced
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada — details coming soon
Predictable restorative dentistry begins with understanding how the teeth, muscles, joints, and supporting structures function together. This comprehensive course is being developed to help dentists evaluate the stomatognathic system more systematically, recognize developmental and functional concerns, and make better-informed decisions about occlusal therapy, restorative treatment, and referral.
Participants will explore clinically useful concepts in joint-based occlusion, temporomandibular disorder assessment, occlusal planning, splint therapy, and trial equilibration. The emphasis will remain practical: identifying what matters, organizing the diagnostic process, and applying sound principles to everyday restorative cases.
Course details are preliminary and subject to change.
Why This Course Matters
Occlusal problems do not always present as a single broken tooth or an obvious joint complaint. They may appear as recurring fractures, accelerated wear, muscle discomfort, unstable restorative results, or symptoms that require a broader diagnostic perspective.
This course is designed to help clinicians move beyond isolated tooth-by-tooth treatment and evaluate how structure, function, and patient adaptation influence long-term outcomes.
- Improve diagnostic confidence: Use a more organized approach to evaluating the joints, muscles, teeth, and functional relationships.
- Plan with greater predictability: Integrate occlusal findings into restorative and interdisciplinary treatment decisions.
- Recognize when to treat or refer: Distinguish cases that may be managed conservatively from those requiring specialized evaluation.
- Protect restorative outcomes: Identify functional risks before committing to extensive or irreversible treatment.
- Communicate more clearly: Explain findings, limitations, and treatment priorities in language patients can understand.
Course Features
Comprehensive Evaluation
Develop a repeatable framework for assessing dental, skeletal, muscular, joint, and soft-tissue factors that influence function.
Joint-Based Occlusion
Examine how joint position, mandibular movement, tooth contacts, and patient adaptation inform clinical decision-making.
TMD Decision-Making
Clarify the dentist’s role in recognizing TMD concerns, initiating conservative care, documenting findings, and referring appropriately.
Occlusal Planning Resources
Use practical references, records, and planning tools to organize findings and support more predictable restorative treatment.
Splint-Therapy Principles
Review the purposes, limitations, design considerations, and monitoring requirements associated with occlusal appliances.
Trial Equilibration
Explore a disciplined, reversible approach to testing occlusal changes before treatment is performed clinically.
Anticipated Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:
- Describe characteristics associated with a healthy, well-functioning stomatognathic system.
- Perform a systematic evaluation of dental, skeletal, muscular, joint, and soft-tissue factors relevant to occlusion and function.
- Differentiate developmental conditions, functional disturbances, and restorative problems that may influence diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Apply foundational concepts of joint-based occlusion to restorative decision-making.
- Compare major occlusal philosophies and identify their practical implications and limitations.
- Recognize findings that may indicate conservative TMD management, additional diagnostic evaluation, or referral.
- Explain the indications, limitations, and monitoring considerations associated with occlusal splint therapy.
- Use clinical records and reference points to support occlusal analysis and restorative planning.
- Conduct a trial equilibration to evaluate proposed occlusal changes before irreversible treatment.
- Develop strategies for establishing, evaluating, and maintaining functional occlusal stability over time.
Who Should Attend?
This course is intended primarily for general dentists and restorative clinicians seeking a more comprehensive approach to diagnosis, occlusion, function, and long-term restorative stability.
- Dentists managing patients with wear, fractures, muscle discomfort, joint concerns, or unstable restorative histories
- Clinicians planning complex restorative, cosmetic, implant, or interdisciplinary treatment
- Dentists seeking clearer criteria for conservative TMD management and referral
- Practitioners interested in splint therapy, occlusal records, and trial equilibration
- Clinicians committed to evidence-informed, patient-centered treatment planning
Proposed Course Format
The final format is still being developed and may include evidence-based lecture, clinical case analysis, diagnostic demonstrations, guided record evaluation, appliance discussions, and hands-on trial-equilibration exercises.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the course be offered?
The course is tentatively anticipated for 2027. Exact dates will be announced after scheduling is finalized.
How many continuing education credits will be available?
The final number and participation designation of the CE credits will be announced with the confirmed course schedule and format.
Will the course include hands-on exercises?
Hands-on components are being considered as part of the proposed format. Final exercises and required materials will be confirmed before registration opens.
Is this course intended to certify dentists to treat every TMD condition?
No. The course is intended to strengthen evaluation, treatment-planning, conservative-management, and referral decisions. Scope of practice, clinical judgment, and appropriate interdisciplinary referral remain essential.
How can I be notified when registration opens?
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