Soft Tissue Grafting Course
Mucogingival T herapy - Periodontal and Implant Esthetics
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Date and Time Saturday, November 22, 2025 9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday, November 23, 2025 9 AM to 1 PM -
Venue815 Salem Ave, Elizabeth, NJ
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Credits12 CE hours
The intricate world of dental gingival anatomy presents unique challenges, but advances in plastic surgical techniques have enabled us to reliably regenerate lost gingival tissue. This program offers a comprehensive exploration of the latest approaches to correcting gingival discrepancies and enhancing periodontal esthetics.
Participants will gain hands-on experience using pig jaws to perform advanced gingival augmentation procedures. Topics will include the application of free gingival grafts, subepithelial connective tissue grafts, acellular dermal matrices (ADM), and porcine xenografts. Strategies for managing the edentulous ridge, including ridge augmentation both at the time of extraction and post-extraction, will also be covered.
This program bridges the science and artistry of periodontal esthetics, focusing on the predictable regeneration of the periodontium and achieving ideal gingival contours. Attendees will leave with the confidence and skills needed to implement these techniques in their practices.
TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE:
• Achieving ideal gingival esthetics
• Techniques for gingival augmentation and root coverage:
• Subepithelial connective tissue graft
• Tunneling procedures
• Free gingival graft
• ADM (acellular dermal matrix)
• Materials for gingival augmentation:
• Autogenous
• Allograft
• Xenograft
• Pontic site development and optimal design
• Papilla regeneration techniques
• Second-stage surgical procedures for dental implants:
• Guided gingival growth
• Palatal approaches
• Managing and correcting esthetic deformities
This hands-on experience is tailored for clinicians who aspire to
refine their skills in mucogingival therapy and achieve consistent,
exceptional outcomes for their patients. Join us to master the art
and science of gingival grafting and periodontal esthetics.
Watch our last program presented in June, 2025
Dr. Shankar Iyer
Past-President of American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), Clincal Associate Professor Rutgers School of Dental Medicine.
Dr. Iyer graduated with honors from the New York University College of Dentistry in 1994 and went on to pursue graduate studies in Prosthodontics from the same University. He taught as a clinical Assistant Professor for several years at NYU’s department of Post Graduate Prosthodontics. Currently he holds two appointments in the departments of Periodontics and Prosthodontics at Rutgers’ University Dental School, New Jersey.
Dr. Iyer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry and a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. He has lectured in over 36 countries and presented at over 200 symposia in Implant Dentistry and Prosthodontics.
He is the Director of the prestigious AAID Implant Maxicourse held in Asia with centers in Abu Dhabi, Chennai and Sri Lanka. He co-directs these courses at Rutgers University, New Jersey, Roseman University, Utah, Nova Southeastern University, Florida and at Newport Beach California.
Michael Sonick, DMD
Michael Sonick, DMD, is a globally renowned authority in dental implantology and
periodontology. Based in Fairfield, Connecticut, he practices full-time as a periodontist
while also serving as a guest lecturer in the international programs at New York
University School of Dentistry and the University of Connecticut School of Dental
Medicine.
He lectures worldwide on the topics of esthetic implants, periodontal plastic surgery,
guided bone regeneration, comprehensive treatment planning and the delivery of
exceptional customer service. He is the author of the book Treating People Not Patients
and co-editor of the multi-language textbook, Implant Site Development.
He serves on the editorial boards of numerous journals including the Compendium of
Continuing Education, the Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry, Inside Dentistry, Dentistry
Today and publishes numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Sonick is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, a diplomate of the
International Congress of Oral Implantology, a fellow of the American Academy of
Implant Dentistry, a fellow of the International Team for Implantology, a fellow of the
International Society of Periodontal Plastic Surgeons. An Eagle Scout, Dr Sonick’s
mission is to improve the quality of patients’ lives as well as the lives of everyone he
meets. www.michaelsonick.com
practices.