2027 Winter Meeting Speakers

February 5-6, 2027

Dallas Marriott Las Colinas
223 West Las Colinas Boulevard
Irving, Texas 75039

General Session Speakers

Achieving Success & Managing Complications of Implants in the Esthetic Zone: Lessons Learned Over 30 Years

Joseph Kan, DDS, MS

Dr. Joseph Kan received his Prosthodontic and Implant Dentistry training from Loma Linda University (LLU) in 1997. He is currently a Professor at LLU and also maintains a private practice.

He has received numerous awards and recognition throughout his career, including the 1997 Academy of Osseointegration (AO) Best Research Award, 2003 Judson Hinckey Scientific Award from the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry and the 2005 Robert James Implant Dentistry Award. In 2019 he was given Honorary Membership by the UK Association of Dental Implantology and received the LLU Distinguished Research Award and Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontist Distinguished Speaker Award in 2020. Most recently Prof. Kan received the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Honorary Membership for contribution to the field of Periodontology as well as the Clinical Research Award in 2021.

He serves on the editorial boards of the International Journal of Esthetic Dentistry, and the Journal of Esthetics and Restorative Dentistry and was the Program Chairman for the 2018 AO Annual Meeting and is currently a member of the AO Executive Board of Directors. He performed a live surgery at the 104th AAP Annual meeting in 2018. In 2017, Fardi et al (Int J Maxillofac Implants), listed 4 of Dr. Kan’s publication as the Top 100 cited articles in Implant Dentistry. In 2020, Praveen G et al (J Prosthet Dent), cited 2 of Dr. Kan’s publications as the top 100 most cited articles in Prosthodontics. Besides lecturing nationally and internationally, Dr. Kan has published over 140 referenced articles and book chapters on interdisciplinary treatment planning, periodontal peri-implant tissue management, and immediate tooth replacement concepts.

Abstract:

Predictable implant esthetics requires careful diagnosis, treatment planning, and consideration of both biologic and restorative factors. This lecture will highlight key principles for achieving long-term esthetic success, including implant positioning, timing, and hard-and-soft-tissue management. Clinical cases will illustrate common challenges and complications, providing practical lessons for their prevention and management.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the key biologic, surgical, and prosthetic factors that influence the predictability and long-term esthetic outcomes of immediate implant placement and provisionalization combined with CTG, dual zone or the socket shield technique in the anterior region.
• Recognize common esthetic complications and apply evidence-based strategies for their prevention and management.

Teaching Method: Lecture

Demystifying FULL ARCH Digital Dentistry and making it work for YOU

Navneet Arora, DDS, MPH

As a practicing periodontist, I have been helping people wear their best smile instilled with inside out confidence for the past 18+ years. Besides deeply caring for clinical excellence, I am very passionate about imparting dental education within my community and across the country. My motivation to enter education and the lecturing arena started very early on when I started clinical practice after graduating from the University of Rochester Medical Center 15 years ago. I took a short term teaching position at USC, Los Angeles and at Loma Linda University and quickly learned that sharing my clinical knowledge, unique experimentation style and academic style documentation can help new and seasoned practitioners see a patient’s treatment journey and learn my unique methodologies for a more predictable successful treatment outcome. Since then, I have been connected to dental education through lecturing, workshops, community educational events and other volunteering events. Most weekdays, I spend time caring for my patients from dawn to dusk. When relaxing, I find myself immersed in reading the latest research and creating social media dental digital content in innovative and creative ways that allows it to be consumed readily. During my personal time, I love challenging my older daughter who is 10 years right now to a tennis match and my younger one to basketball hoops challenges. My wife and I love to cycle through rolling hills of the beautiful town of Auburn, and we love exploring nature on our long family hikes. The areas that I continuously investigate and improve, including but not limited to, are implant dentistry, comprehensive treatment planning, dental photography, bone grafting, soft tissue management techniques and my favorite Digital Implant Dentistry WORKFLOWs. The mantra that I live by is “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new”.

Abstract:

Digital technology is rapidly transforming full-arch implant dentistry. For general dentists, these advancements create new opportunities to provide comprehensive implant solutions while collaborating closely with specialty partners. This program demonstrates how a modern practice can support general dentists and specialists in delivering predictable full arch/ double arch treatment through integrated digital workflows. Participants will gain insight into how technologies such as photogrammetry (iCam 4D / Fastmapping), intraoral scanning, Exocad digital design collaboration, in-office 3D printing with SprintRay, and Nobel Procera restorative solutions improve surgical precision, streamline laboratory communication, and enhance restorative outcomes. Through real clinical cases and workflow demonstrations, attendees will learn how digital collaboration between the general dentist, specialist, and laboratory creates a more predictable treatment pathway-from diagnosis and surgical planning to provisionalization and final prosthetic delivery.

Hands-on Workshop - limited spaces available for an additional fee

Dr. Joseph Kan: Socket Shield Technique and Immediate Implant Placement and Provisionalization

Abstract:

This hands-on workshop introduces an integrated protocol for immediate implant placement and provisionalization using the socket shield technique in the esthetic zone. Participants will practice socket shield preparation, prosthetically guided implant placement, connective tissue grafts, and provisional restoration on dental models. The workshop will incorporate a digital workflow for fabricating and adapting a 3D-printed provisional crown, with emphasis on emergence profile design and peri-implant soft tissue support. Clinical case discussions will address case selection, procedural considerations, and potential complications.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify appropriate case selection criteria for immediate implant placement and provisionalization using the socket shield technique.
• Demonstrate socket shield preparation and prosthetically guided implant placement on dental models. 
• Practice connective tissue graft placement and stabilization to augment peri-implant soft tissue thickness and contour.
• Describe the digital workflow for designing and fabricating a 3D-printed provisional crown.
• Adapt a provisional crown to establish an appropriate emergence profile, support peri-implant soft tissues, and minimize occlusal loading.
• Recognize potential complications and describe strategies for their prevention and management.

Teaching Method: Hands-on workshop