The Furcation Dilemma: Advanced 3-Day Hands-On Workshop by Pierpaolo Cortellini

A 3-day advanced workshop combines theoretical instruction with hands-on surgical training focused on treating molars affected by furcation involvement. The course addresses the full clinical spectrum — from initial diagnosis to long-term maintenance — with particular emphasis on surgical precision and technique.

Led by the world's most renowned master in this field, Dr. Pierpaolo Cortellini, and his team, participants will work through clinical cases, video-based walkthroughs, and anatomical simulations to develop a skillset grounded in real-world practice.

Through interactive lectures, 2D/3D videos, and practical exercises on anatomical models, clinicians will refine their understanding of both resective and regenerative surgical approaches. Special focus will be given to minimally invasive procedures, instrumentation, suturing techniques, and complication management.

Learning Objectives:

– Comprehensive diagnostic assessment of furcation-involved teeth
– Development of evidence-based treatment plans
– Mastery of resective and regenerative surgical protocols
– Post-surgical care and strategies for long-term stability.

Hands-On Training Includes:

– Open flap procedures with access surgery
– Root planing and debridement techniques
– Bone surgery: ostectomy & osteoplasty
– Flap design, suturing methods (internal mattress & sling), and use of regenerative materials
– Practical sessions on Key-hole and Class II/III furcation models.

This workshop is intended for clinicians looking to elevate their clinical outcomes through science-backed protocols and hands-on surgical precision.

IMPORTANT: the “Seminar. Standard”, “Seminar. Comfort” and “Seminar. VIP” participation options are also available for purchase.

Advantages of the “Hands-on workshop” option:

– Participation in the scientific program

– Participation in Hands-on workshop
– Coffee break
– Notes and handouts
– Certificate of participation
– ADA credits available upon request
– Lunch 
– Priority seats in the venue
– Distinct reception counter
– VIP certificate
– VIP badge 

– free access to webinar Soft tissue and bone augmentation techniques

– free access to webinar Protocols for soft tissue augmentation in peri-implantitis

– free access to webinar Soft tissue management in periodontal surgery (Part 1)

– free access to webinar Old and new classification of periodontal diseases - what has changed?

– free access to webinar Treatment of generalized aggressive periodontitis.

PROGRAM

Day 1 (theory)

Biologic & clinical background

– Multi-rooted teeth: anatomy of upper & lower molars
– Diagnosis and prognosis of teeth with furcation involvement
– Step 1 & 2 of periodontal therapy to improve patient prognosis
– The re-evaluation concept & the surgical treatment plan
– The critical decision: when to extract a molar with furcation involvement
– The surgical approaches: flap or resective or regenerative surgery.

The Conservative Approach

– The open flap: scaling & root planing with access surgery
– Design of the flap & suturing techniques
– Expected outcomes and long-term stability: the SPC problem.

The Resective Approach

– The different resective approaches in Class I, II, & III furcation
– The apically positioned flap
– Bone surgery: ostectomy & osteoplasty
– The “barrelling in” approach in Class I furcations.
 

Day 2 (theory)

The Resective Approach

– The tunnel approach in Class II & III in lower molars
– The tunnel approach in Class III in upper molars
– Root resection & root amputation in Class II & III
– Prosthetic rehabilitation on resected abutments
– Long-term prognosis.

The Regenerative Approach

– Clinical objectives, indications, limits and prognosis of periodontal regeneration in furcations
– Critical evaluation of periodontal regenerative materials
– The clinical problem: debridement of the defect. Instruments and materials
– The “Key-hole” defect: class II furcation at lower molars and buccal class II furcation at upper molars: the buccal / lingual flap and the coronally advanced flap
– Mesial / distal class II furcation at upper molars associated to intrabony defects: the papilla preservation flap and the minimally invasive surgery
– Class II and III furcation at lower molars associated to intrabony defects: the papilla preservation flap and the minimally invasive surgery
– Long-term prognosis of regenerated teeth.

Day 3 (hands-on training)

Acquisition of practical skills: hands-on surgical exercises on anatomical simulators

– Hands-on in-depth tutorial on surgical methods:

- Surgical instruments and materials
- Minimally invasive surgery on furcation & intrabony
- Buccal flap on Key-hole furcation
- Internal mattress & sling sutures
- Application of regenerative materials.

– Discussion of surgical tips.