Course Content

Dr. Koerner’s oral surgery courses emphasize “simplifying difficult extractions”.  To this end many principles and techniques are taught that enable the general dentist to complete extractions:

• More quickly
• More predictably
• More safely
• More atraumatically

This is an advanced course.  Material is covered that is taught in the first year of an oral surgery residency program.  It presents standards of care for exodontia that are the same as those practiced by oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

With this foundation, Dr. Koerner (time permitting) then proceeds to cover other surgery procedures, such as:

• Moderately impacted wisdom teeth, with emphasis on younger patients whose roots are not completely formed.
• Multiple extractions
• Surgical crown lengthening
• Tori removal
• Biopsies
• Apicoectomies
• Pre-prosthetic surgery
• Palatal surgery (supernumeraries, bracketing teeth)

He also includes surgery-support information.  For example:

• Case selection
• Principles of oral sedation
• Swelling prevention
• Oral anatomy
• Avoiding local anesthetic emergencies
• Preventing/managing bleeding and infection

The sponsoring organization has the opportunity help Dr. Koerner customize a presentation with their input on content they feel is in the best interest of participants to receive.  If lecture time is severely limited, Dr. Koerner can give an abbreviated course that covers the highlights of his material. This can be frustrating to many attendees and they will usually inquire into his other courses given elsewhere.
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Below are some sample synopses and objectives:

Title One: Oral Surgery Secrets: Advanced Techniques for Today’s Practice

Most dentists perform exodontia.  Unfortunately, 10-20% of all extractions will become “surgical”.  This course focuses on techniques to manage the more difficult extractions, making them easier and more predicable.  Dr. Koerner presents methods to simplify extractions – many not taught in dental school.  One part of his presentation shows surgical problems some dentists have had and how they should have been prevented or treated.  This material definitely helps keep more surgery in-house.
His presentation also covers other similar surgeries, such as moderate third molar impactions (since many of the same instruments and techniques are used.)

Title Two:  Easier, Faster, More Predictable Oral Surgery for General Practice

This oral surgery presentation covers ideas and recommendations that will simplify procedures, make them more predictable, and help you broaden the range of operations performed in your office from exodontia to apicos and crown lengthening. Techniques are shared that will expedite the most stubborn extractions.   Key elements of partial bony third molar impactions are also reviewed.  Along with that, Dr. Koerner discusses effective one-drug oral sedation and how to minimize swelling with potent anti-inflammatories.  He takes the confusion out of aesthetic bone grafts for extraction sites.  In summary, Dr. Koerner clarifies current standards of care for surgery procedures common to general practice.

Comments: Oral surgery is more than taking out a tooth.  It is an attitude.  It is confidence in handling the unexpected.  It’s an adventure.  It is knowing that although most procedures are simple, even the most straightforward operation could push you to the edge of your comfort zone.  Why?  Mostly because we haven’t taken as many post-graduate courses in surgery as we have in other dental disciplines.  But that can be changed!  This course presents knowledge, ideas, and methods that remove the mystique and make surgery more predictable and enjoyable.

Course objectives: As a result of attending this course, the dentist will be able to:

1. Perform oral surgery according to current standards of care.
2. More easily do “surgical” extractions and other difficult extractions like partial bony third molars.
3. Control patient anxiety.
4. Avoid common drug reactions and interactions.
5. Better control or prevent swelling, pain, infection, and bleeding.
6. Prevent or manage maxillary sinus problems and tuberosity fractures.
7. Perform anterior apicoectomies, tori removal, socket bone grafts, and more straightforward crown lengthening cases.

At least seven procedures can be performed on our lower model: removal of lower third molar impaction, “surgical” extraction including root tip removal, bone graft with membrane, apico and retrofill, surgical crown lengthening, torus removal, small lesion excision...