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Shigemi Nagai and Stephen J. Chu

Soft tissue esthetics - Optical investigation of gingival color

Lecture Description: 

Soft or hard tissue deficiencies of the anterior edentulous space are the defining obstacles to achieving optimal gingival esthetics surroundingthe final restoration. Thin peri-implant mucosa leads to a shine through effect of the underlying titanium implant with a grayish appearance of the gingival cuff. This lecture will present the color and optical values and properties of gingiva based upon currentresearch and clinical cases related to gingival color.

Objective: 

1. Optical and histological background of gingiva.
2. Appropriate assessment technique of gingival phenotype.
3. Clinical approach to achieve soft tissue esthetics.

About presenter: 

Shigemi Nagai, DDS, MDS, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterial Sciences, Harvard School of Dental Medicine. She has numerous publications on color science and clinical studies. Dr. Nagai’s current research interests include a computer color matching system in dental ceramics, NIR fluorescence imaging for clinical dentistry, and biological approach of the soft tissue esthetics.
Dr. Stephen J. Chu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Prosthodontics, Director of Esthetic Education at Columbia University School of Dentistry. He also maintains a private practice in fixed prosthodontics in New York City. He has co-authored The Fundamentals of Color: Shade Matching and Communication in Esthetic Dentistry [Chu, S.J., Devigus, A., Mieleszko, A., Quintessence Publishing Co, 2004] and Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry: Principles and Practice [Tarnow, D.P., Chu, S.J., Kim, J.J., Montage Media Corp., 2008]. Dr. Chu is a chapter contributor to The Science and Art of Porcelain Laminate Veneers [Gurel, G., Quintessence Publishing, 2003] and has published 23 articles and given over 100 lectures nationally and internationally on the subjects of aesthetic, restorative, and implant dentistry. Dr. Chu is on the editorial review board of the European Journal of Esthetic Dentistry, IJOMI, Compendium, Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry. Dr. Chu is the creator of Chu’s Aesthetic Gauges manufactured by Hu-Friedy Co., Inc.

Dr. Stephen J. Chu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Prosthodontics, Director of Esthetic Education at Columbia University School of Dentistry. He also maintains a private practice in fixed prosthodontics in New York City. He has co-authored The Fundamentals of Color: Shade Matching and Communication in Esthetic Dentistry [Chu, S.J., Devigus, A., Mieleszko, A., Quintessence Publishing Co, 2004] and Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry: Principles and Practice [Tarnow, D.P., Chu, S.J., Kim, J.J., Montage Media Corp., 2008]. Dr. Chu is a chapter contributor to The Science and Art of Porcelain Laminate Veneers [Gurel, G., Quintessence Publishing, 2003] and has published 23 articles and given over 100 lectures nationally and internationally on the subjects of aesthetic, restorative, and implant dentistry. Dr. Chu is on the editorial review board of the European Journal of Esthetic Dentistry, IJOMI, Compendium, Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry. Dr. Chu is the creator of Chu’s Aesthetic Gauges manufactured by Hu-Friedy Co., Inc.