Lesson 1Ridge evaluation: clinical ridge width and height measurements, palpation for cortical plates, location of concavities or undercutsExplains practical clinical ridge evaluation, covering width and height measurements, feeling of cortical plates, and spotting concavities or undercuts, linking these to imaging for better grafting plans in local practice.
Crestal ridge width measurement techniquesAssessing vertical ridge height clinicallyPalpation of buccal and lingual cortical platesIdentifying concavities and undercuts by touchClassifying ridge defects for graft planningCorrelating clinical and radiographic findingsLesson 2Radiographic assessment of bone quality and cortical thickness, presence of residual socket walls, lingual undercut, and proximity to adjacent rootsDiscusses radiographic checks for bone quality, cortical thickness, leftover socket structures, lingual undercuts, and closeness to nearby roots, connecting these to stability, graft type, and risk of perforation in everyday cases.
Assessing trabecular bone density patternsEvaluating buccal and lingual cortical thicknessIdentifying residual socket walls and defectsDetecting lingual undercuts and concavitiesProximity to adjacent roots and root morphologyImplications for graft selection and stabilityLesson 3Dental and oral history: timing of extraction, prior infections, periodontal status, parafunction, and previous implant/prosthetic historyLooks at important parts of dental and oral history affecting mandibular posterior implant and grafting results, stressing risk spotting, timing choices, and blending past restorative and surgical details for better outcomes.
Timing and reasons for tooth extractionHistory of acute and chronic infectionsPast periodontal diagnosis and therapyParafunction, bruxism, and clenching habitsPrevious implants, failures, and complicationsExisting prostheses and occlusal schemesLesson 4Soft tissue imaging and planning: measuring keratinized tissue on images and use of intraoral scanning or photos for documentationShows how to check soft tissue with imaging, scans, and photos, focusing on keratinized tissue width, mucosal thickness, and records that help with flap design, grafting, and emergence profile in Namibian clinics.
Measuring keratinized tissue on radiographsUsing intraoral scanners for soft tissue mappingStandardized clinical photography protocolsEvaluating mucosal thickness and phenotypePlanning soft tissue grafting needsArchiving digital records for follow-upLesson 5Targeted clinical exam: extraoral exam, intraoral soft tissue assessment, vestibular depth, keratinized tissue width, frenulum attachments, and mucosal qualityOutlines a planned clinical exam for mandibular posterior areas, including extraoral and intraoral soft tissue checks, vestibular depth, keratinized tissue width, frenula, and mucosal quality for surgical access in local settings.
Extraoral symmetry and neurosensory baselineIntraoral soft tissue inspection and palpationMeasuring vestibular depth and mobilityAssessing keratinized tissue width clinicallyEvaluating frenulum position and tensionMucosal quality and scarring around the siteLesson 6Comprehensive medical history: systemic conditions, medications, bleeding risk, smoking, alcohol, bisphosphonates, anticoagulants, and prior radiationSummarises key medical history points for implant and grafting safety, covering systemic illnesses, medications, bleeding risks, lifestyle habits, and past radiation or antiresorptive treatments relevant to Namibian patients.
Cardiovascular and metabolic conditionsImmunosuppression and infection riskBleeding disorders and anticoagulant therapyBisphosphonates and other antiresorptivesSmoking, alcohol, and healing capacityHistory of head and neck radiationLesson 7Legal, consent, and referral considerations: when to refer for medical clearance or specialist input and documentation essentialsExamines legal duties in implant planning, including informed consent, record standards, and when to get medical clearance or specialist advice to safeguard patient safety and clinician responsibility in Namibia.
Elements of informed consent for implantsDocumenting risks, benefits, and alternativesWhen to seek medical clearanceIndications for specialist referralRecord keeping and imaging documentationManaging patient expectations in writingLesson 8CBCT and radiographic planning: ordering CBCT, expected DICOM data, slice selection, cross-sectional views, panoramic limitationsDescribes practical use of CBCT for mandibular posterior planning, including when to order, handling DICOM files, choosing slices, cross-sectional views, and limits of panoramic images in clinical workflows.
Indications and timing for CBCT orderingField of view and resolution selectionImporting and managing DICOM datasetsChoosing optimal axial and cross sectionsUsing panoramic reconstructions cautiouslyRadiation dose and justification principlesLesson 9Key measurements from imaging: horizontal ridge width at crest and 1–3 mm subcrestal, vertical height to mandibular canal, distance to inferior alveolar canal, angulation and available bone lengthCovers vital measurements from images for mandibular posterior sites, emphasising ridge width, vertical height, canal distance, and angulation to aid safe implant positioning and grafting in Namibian practice.
Measuring crestal and subcrestal ridge widthAssessing vertical height to mandibular canalDetermining distance to inferior alveolar canalEvaluating implant angulation in cross sectionsEstimating available bone length and trajectoryMeasurement calibration and error reductionLesson 10Periodontal and occlusal assessment: probing, attachment levels on adjacent teeth, occlusal scheme, opposing dentition considerationsConcentrates on periodontal and occlusal checks around mandibular posterior sites, including probing, attachment levels, occlusal plans, and opposing teeth, to predict load and peri-implant risks effectively.
Probing depths on adjacent teethClinical attachment and bone support levelsFurcation involvement near implant sitesStatic and dynamic occlusal analysisOpposing dentition and parafunctional loadPeriodontal stability before implant therapy
