Our profession is rich with concepts of how to address the function & dysfunction of the temporomandibular system. Many of the early and still popular etiologic theories are based on mechanical concepts of occlusion. While we can point to treatment success, we must be careful to assign factual evidence to support these beliefs.
We continue to be faced with a myriad of treatment options, all with the same evidence based challenges. If we are to utilize any of these mechanical designs in our restorative treatments, we must recognize the biologic diversity of every patient we treat.
Failure visits our practices in many forms, even with the newest restorative materials that promise success. In this program we will explore the forces that threaten our finest efforts and what options we have to address them.
Equally important is the application of communication, and appreciate purpose vs. process treatment planning as it applies to our everyday dentistry and beyond. Learn cooperative problem identification where the dentist and patient discover what is happening in the patient's mouth and what can be predicted for the years ahead.
7:30am: Registration & Breakfast
8:15am – 3:30pm: Lecture
3:30pm – 4:00pm: Q & A
About the Speaker
Dr. Ochi
Lane M. Ochi D.D.S., F.A.C.D., F.I.C.D., graduated with honors from the University of Southern California in 1981, where he received the Robert W. McNulty Memorial Award for the highest scholastic achievement. He has been elected to membership in Alpha Tau Epsilon - U.S.C. Dental School Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi - National Society of Scholars, Omicron Kappa Upsilon - National Dental Honor Society, the Pierre Fauchard Academy - International Honor Dental Society, and he is a Fellow in the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists.
He is currently an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry, and was the Co-director of Occlusion at U.S.C. School of Dentistry. He is also an Assistant Director in the Advanced Restorative Institute Dental Education Center, and serves as a specialist consultant to the Graduate Prosthodontic Program at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in West Los Angeles.
He has lectured to national and international audiences on the subject of aesthetic restorative dentistry and occlusion. He was presented with the McCollum Award from the IAG that recognizes those who have contributed significantly to the clinical application and educational advancement of occlusion internationally.
He has received multiple Commendations from the County of Los Angeles for his efforts to promote the health and wellbeing of underserved populations in his community.
Dr. Ochi maintains a full time private practice in Beverly Hills with an emphasis on physiologic and aesthetic reconstructive dentistry. His patients include Academy Award winners, former Miss America's, and some of the most recognized names in the entertainment business.
Dr. Melker
Dr. Melkers is a 1994 graduate of Marquette University School of Dentistry & currently serves as Visiting Faculty at Rīga Stradiņš University & The Pankey Institute. He is also an Ad hoc reviewer for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.
In the past he has been Director of Occlusion & Aesthetic Dentistry at the Pacific Northwest AEGD Residency Program and Visiting Faculty at The Spear Institute. He just finished his tenure as Editor for American Equilibration Society and received the 2018 AES President's Distinguished Service Award.
Dr. Melkers is a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry & maintains a private clinical practice in Hanover, NH with a focus on comprehensive adult restorative care.