Lesson 1Extraoral and intraoral photographic protocol: standardised views for documentation and shade matchingThis section outlines standardised extraoral and intraoral photographic protocols, covering required views, camera settings, retraction and mirror use, and utilising images for documentation, shade analysis, smile design, and communication with patients and laboratories in Botswana.
Essential extraoral photographic viewsStandardized intraoral retracted viewsMirror and occlusal photography techniquesBasic camera settings and lighting controlPhotographic shade and texture analysisImage storage, consent, and privacyLesson 2Comprehensive dental history review: systemic factors, medications, parafunction, and aesthetic expectationsThis section describes obtaining a comprehensive dental and medical history, highlighting systemic conditions, medications, parafunctional habits, diet, and aesthetic expectations, and how these affect restorative planning and informed consent in Botswana contexts.
Key elements of medical history for dentistryMedication review and oral side effectsRecording parafunction and lifestyle factorsEliciting esthetic goals and expectationsDocumenting previous dental experiencesUsing history data in treatment planningLesson 3Occlusal analysis: static and dynamic examination, occlusal schemes, articulator mounting, and use of occlusal indicatorsThis section covers static and dynamic occlusal analysis, including examination in maximum intercuspation, guidance patterns, interferences, articulator mounting, and using articulating paper, foils, and T-Scan to guide restorative design and adjustments for Botswana patients.
Evaluating centric contacts and MIPAssessing guidance and occlusal schemesIdentifying working and nonworking interferencesFacebow transfer and articulator selectionMounting casts and occlusal analysis on articulatorUse of articulating paper, foils, and T-ScanLesson 4Periodontal charting and biologic considerations: probing depths, furcation, recession, and influence on restorative marginsThis section discusses full periodontal charting, including probing depths, bleeding, furcation, mobility, and recession, and how periodontal status affects margin placement, emergence profile, restorative design, and long-term maintenance strategies in Botswana.
Standard periodontal charting protocolAssessing furcation involvement and mobilityRecording recession and mucogingival issuesBiologic width and supracrestal tissueChoosing subgingival vs supragingival marginsPeriodontal stabilization before restorationLesson 5Risk assessment and prognosis formulation: caries risk, occlusal risk, periodontal risk and how they alter treatment choicesThis section outlines structured caries, occlusal, and periodontal risk assessment, incorporating systemic and behavioural factors to estimate prognosis, stratify patients, and adjust restorative material selection, design, recall intervals, and maintenance protocols for Botswana.
Caries risk assessment tools and factorsOcclusal and parafunctional risk evaluationPeriodontal risk and stability assessmentSystemic and behavioral modifiers of riskLinking risk level to treatment choicesCommunicating prognosis to the patientLesson 6Radiographic interpretation for restorative planning: bitewings, periapicals, and decision-making for additional CBCTThis section explains selecting and interpreting bitewing and periapical radiographs, recognising caries and restorative defects, evaluating periodontal support, and deciding when limited or full-arch CBCT is needed for complex restorative planning in Botswana.
Indications for bitewing vs periapical radiographsRadiographic caries and existing restoration assessmentEvaluating bone levels and periapical statusRadiographic detection of root fractures and resorptionCriteria for prescribing limited field CBCTRadiation dose, ALARA, and documentationLesson 7Cracked tooth assessment: transillumination, bite tests, dye, periodontal probing, and criteria for reversible vs irreversible cracksThis section focuses on diagnosing cracked teeth using transillumination, bite tests, dyes, and periodontal probing, and how crack location, depth, and symptoms influence prognosis, treatment options, and decisions about restoration versus extraction in Botswana.
Clinical signs and symptoms of cracked teethTransillumination and magnification techniquesUse of dyes and selective cusp loadingPeriodontal probing patterns around cracksClassifying crack extent and directionRestorative vs endodontic vs extraction choicesLesson 8Study models and digital impressions: when to use conventional impressions vs intraoral scanning for diagnostic wax-ups and occlusal analysisThis section compares conventional impressions and intraoral scanning, outlining indications, accuracy considerations, and workflow for diagnostic casts, wax-ups, and occlusal analysis, including digital articulation and communication with the laboratory in Botswana.
Indications for conventional impressionsIndications for intraoral scanningAccuracy factors for diagnostic castsDigital articulation and virtual mountingWorkflow for diagnostic wax-upsTransferring wax-up information clinicallyLesson 9Pulpal vitality and pulp status testing: cold, EPT, percussion, bite tests and interpretationThis section reviews pulpal and periapical diagnostic tests, including cold, EPT, percussion, palpation, and bite tests, emphasising test protocols, common pitfalls, and correlating findings with symptoms and radiographs to classify pulp status in Botswana.
Standardized cold testing protocolUse and limitations of EPTPercussion and palpation for periapical statusBite tests for cracked and symptomatic teethInterpreting combined test resultsDiagnosing reversible vs irreversible pulpitis
