DENTSPLY Friadent News

XiVE Implant Challenge 2009 – Mountainbike Rally in the Black Forest

08-28-2009 | Under the slogan "Education meets Challenge" the XiVE Implant Challenge by DENTSPLY Friadent offers out-of-the-ordinary events that both educate and challenge participants.

The XiVE Implant Challenge, which was successfully started last year, offered out-of-the-ordinary events once again in summer 2009, which both educated and challenged participants. The events combine demanding implantological continuing education, which teaches how to deal with even the extreme cases in implantology, with physical challenges and exciting highlights. From June 26 to 28 it was the mountainbike rally to Badenweiler in the south Black Forest.

Like all events in the XiVE Implant Challenge, the event in the Black Forest combined physical activity with A scientific program at the highest level. The demonstrations by Dr. Andreas Sahm, a partner in a large implantology group practice, were concerned with all aspects of immediate loading: The oral surgeon with specialties in implantology and periodontics demonstrated time-saving techniques of chairside fabrication of esthetic and stable provisional components with the special XiVE TempBase technique, which participants could try for themselves in the same session.

In conclusion Dr. Fred Bergmann talked about innovative options for diagnostics and therapy. The certified implantologist and periodontologist is the owner of a large group implantology practice, visiting professor at Hallym University (South Korea) and a member of the board of the German Society for Oral Implantology (DGOI). Predictable stable results and a procedure that is as minimally invasive as possible with reference to the prosthetic aspects, in Bergmann's opinion the current challenges in implantology, start with painstaking 3D diagnostics. Bergmann demonstrated how three-dimensional planning with XiVE ExpertEase can precisely simulated even the most complex procedures beforehand and eliminate risks. Results become more predictable, particularly with difficult cases. Bergmann showed in detail the use of ExpertEase surgical templates and surgical instruments for procedures ranging from the relatively simple gap closure through to complex problems in weak bone, which are ideally suited to XiVE system solutions.

In hands-on exercises on the master cast participants were also able to familiarize themselves with XiVE implant placements after bone-spreading or sinus lifts, which have previously been demonstrated by Dr. Sahm and Dr. Bergmann. The XiVE TG transgingival screw implant was popular with participants with its practical and effective working. The reduced-diameter XiVE 3.0 was also popular with its capacity for fitting into even the narrowest gaps.

In the afternoon high-performance training in mountainbike techniques was on the program. This included individual mountainbike tours in three groups classified by performance levels led by experienced tour guides from the region. This made riders fit for the rally on the following day and also ensured that every participant – regardless of whether he was a beginner, recreational mountainbiker or professional – competed at a suitable level. A special highlight was a skills competition, in which participants could demonstrate their riding skills in an arena.

The second day of the XiVE Implant Challenge was the mountainbike rally, in which the emphasis – exactly like everyday work as an implantologist – was not so much on speed but primarily on team spirit, creativity, skill and flexibility. The tasks was to ride to various stations equipped with maps and good spirits Riders were able to overcome the skills tests in teams. A high point was the construction of a bridge to cross a stream – using only two large folding boxes and adhesive tape.

Participants were as enthusiastic about the scientific program as about the challenging physical activities of the general program. They are already looking forward to 2010, the next XiVE Implant Challenge – continuing education that educates and challenges!