Thomas Dudney, DMD

Lecture Topics

Cosmetic Dentistry
Restorative Dentistry

About Dr. Dudney

Thomas Dudney, DMD is a 1977 graduate of the University of Alabama at the Birmingham School of Dentistry. He has previously served as the Clinical Director for the Aesthetic Advantage hands-on programs taught by Dr. Larry Rosenthal at New York University and the Eastman Dental Clinic in London.

Presently he is the clinical director of the Pacific Aesthetic Continuum (PAC) hands-on programs. In addition to teaching hands-on programs, he has presented workshops and lectures at dental meetings and has authored several articles on aesthetic and restorative dentistry.

He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Alabama Dental Association, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is also a fellow of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics and a Diplomate of the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry as well as a member of Catapult Education's Speakers Bureau.

Discover Dr. Dudney's Latest Courses

Be Aware of Wear: A Systematic Approach to Diagnosing, Treatment Planning, and Restoring the Worn Dentition

In today’s society tooth wear is more prevalent than ever and it is therefore incumbent upon the entire dental team to be well versed in recognizing the clinical signs of wear while understanding the importance of prevention when possible and the restorative options when necessary. This half day lecture will illustrate the different types of tooth wear with clinical examples, and demonstrate a systematic approach to diagnosis and treatment.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize the clinical signs of intrinsic and extrinsic erosion
Office protocols to help patients prevent and/or treat acid erosion
Recognize the clinical signs of horizontal and vertical wear patterns
Designing an occlusal scheme that fits and identifying grinding patterns of the patient
Bite opening vs. crown lengthening vs. orthodontic intrusion to gain space for restorations
The importance of an interdisciplinary team in treating wear cases
A systematic approach in the treatment of simple to complex wear cases

To Smile or Not to Smile: Why Truly Understanding Smile Design Principles Is So Important to You and Your Patient

Today, patients seeking aesthetic procedures and smile makeovers are more knowledgeable than ever of the possibilities that exist and therefore present with higher expectations. In order for restorative dentists to meet these higher expectations, they must not only be able to combine art and science, but also possess a thorough understanding of smile design principles in order to achieve the desired results. This half day lecture will discuss individually and in detail these principles and illustrate their use with clinical cases. Also included in the presentation will be the importance of composite mock-ups, provisional restorations, laboratory communication, and multidisciplinary team work.

Learning Objectives:

Why incisal edge position is so important and how to determine it
Visualization, preparation, and communication with composite mock-ups
The role of provisional restorations in both patient and laboratory communication
How to evaluate provisionals aesthetically, functionally, and phonetically to ensure clinical success
Gingival recontouring with diode lasers
Treatment options for gummy smiles
How to prevent or eliminate dark triangles
The importance of the relationship between the teeth, gingival scaffold, and lips
Understanding the role of the smile in facial aesthetics and a youthful appearance
Utilizing a multidisciplinary team approach when treatment planning complex cases

MACdentistry: The What, When, How, and Why of Current Indirect Restorative Materials, Adhesives, and Cements

As restorative materials, adhesives, and cements continue to evolve, change, and improve, it becomes more difficult for restorative dentists to keep up with the latest advances. With increasingly higher patient expectations for long term clinical success, it is important that the dentist has an understanding and working knowledge of these materials in order to make sound decisions. This half day lecture will discuss factors affecting the selection of indirect restorative materials that will satisfy the aesthetic and functional goals of the patient as conservatively as possible. Cases will be used to demonstrate the use of these materials, bonding agents, and cements in different clinical situations.

Learning Objectives:

The factors affecting material selection
Monolithic vs. layered restorations
Combining aesthetics and function with emax lithium disilicate
Advantages and disadvantages of full contour zirconia
The benefits of the new universal adhesives
Which cements to use when and why
How to treat the tooth and the restoration when conventionally cementing or adhesively bonding
The long term benefits of bioactive cements

What’s a Dentist to Do: Diagnosis, Treatment Options, and Rehabilitation of Difficult and Unusual Cases

Sometimes the restorative dentist encounters clinical situations that are out of the ordinary and can often pose a challenge to treatment planning. This lecture will examine several such cases in order to explore treatment options and develop treatment plans, often utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach. Treatment results will be demonstrated along with helpful clinical tips on: material selection, how to determine incisal edge position, intra-oral composite mock-ups, opening bites, taking CR records, avoiding biologic width violations, fabricating and evaluating provisional restorations, multiple unit adhesive cementation, bonding to porcelain in the mouth, and fine tuning occlusal adjustments.

During this course you will explore treatment options and examine clinical results for:

Primary failure of eruption
Class III anterior crossbite
Matching a dark anterior tooth
The gummy smile
Traumatic avulsion
The aging face

1615 NW 4th Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444 | United States