Lesson 1Extraoral and intraoral photographic protocol: standardised views for documentation and shade matchingThis section covers standardised extraoral and intraoral photographic protocols, including necessary views, camera settings, retraction and mirror use, and utilising images for documentation, shade analysis, smile design, and communicating with patients and labs in local practice.
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 thorough dental and medical history, highlighting systemic conditions, medications, parafunctional habits, diet, and aesthetic expectations, and how these affect restorative planning and informed consent in Zimbabwean 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 explains static and dynamic occlusal analysis, covering examination in maximum intercuspation, guidance patterns, interferences, articulator mounting, and using articulating paper, foils, and T-Scan to guide restorative design and adjustments for better outcomes.
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 addresses full periodontal charting, including probing depths, bleeding, furcation, mobility, and recession, and how periodontal status impacts margin placement, emergence profile, restorative design, and long-term maintenance in diverse patient groups.
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 details structured caries, occlusal, and periodontal risk assessment, incorporating systemic and behavioural factors to predict prognosis, categorise patients, and adjust restorative material selection, design, recall intervals, and maintenance protocols accordingly.
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 teaches selecting and interpreting bitewing and periapical radiographs, identifying caries and restorative defects, assessing periodontal support, and determining when limited or full-arch CBCT is needed for complex restorative planning in resource-limited settings.
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 concentrates on diagnosing cracked teeth via transillumination, bite tests, dyes, and periodontal probing, and how crack location, depth, and symptoms affect prognosis, treatment options, and choices between restoration and extraction in local care.
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, detailing indications, accuracy, and workflow for diagnostic casts, wax-ups, and occlusal analysis, including digital articulation and lab communication for effective Zimbabwean dentistry.
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 like cold, EPT, percussion, palpation, and bite tests, stressing protocols, pitfalls, and correlating findings with symptoms and radiographs to classify pulp status accurately.
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
