Lesson 1Ridge evaluation: clinical ridge width and height measurements, palpation for cortical plates, location of concavities or undercutsDescribes practical clinical ridge evaluation, including width and height measurements, feeling of cortical plates, and finding concavities or undercuts, linking findings with imaging to improve grafting plans for Zambian patients.
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 rootsCovers x-ray evaluation of bone quality, cortical thickness, remaining socket structure, lingual undercuts, and root closeness, connecting these to primary stability, graft selection, and risk of cortical perforation in local settings.
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 historyReviews important parts of dental and oral history that affect mandibular posterior implant and grafting results, stressing risk spotting, timing choices, and combining past restorative and surgical details for Zambian cases.
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 documentationExplains assessing soft tissue with imaging, scans, and photos, focusing on keratinized tissue width, mucosal thickness, and records that guide flap design, grafting, and emergence profile planning in Zambian practice.
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 qualityDetails a planned clinical examination for mandibular posterior sites, covering extraoral and intraoral soft tissue check, vestibular depth, keratinized tissue width, frenula, and mucosal quality for surgical access in local contexts.
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 full medical history elements key to implant and grafting safety, including body-wide disease, medicines, bleeding risk, lifestyle factors, and past radiation or antiresorptive exposure for Zambian 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 essentialsExplores doctor-legal duties in implant planning, including informed consent, record standards, and criteria for medical clearance or specialist referral to safeguard patient safety and clinician responsibility in Zambia.
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 limitationsOutlines practical CBCT use for mandibular posterior planning, including ordering criteria, DICOM handling, slice choice, cross-sectional analysis, and limits of panoramic views in Zambian dental facilities.
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 lengthDetails vital linear and angular measurements from imaging for mandibular posterior sites, focusing on ridge width, vertical height, canal closeness, and angulation to aid safe implant positioning and grafting in local 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 considerationsFocuses on periodontal and occlusal check around mandibular posterior sites, including probing, attachment levels, occlusal plans, and opposing teeth, to predict biomechanical load and peri-implant risk in Zambian settings.
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
