Identify An Occlusal Emergency
Failure visits our practices in many forms and on many materials. While our restorations are at risk, so are our reputations as clinicians. In this program we will explore the forces that threaten our success and what options we have to address them. The program will be a journey in and out of the confusion that we have believed and applied as a profession-what worked, what didn’t and why.
The fundamentals and theory of occlusion will be discussed but also supported with real world applications and case examples. We will spend the majority of this workshop in the lab planning, waxing and equilibrating cases. An emphasis will be placed on considerations in changing vertical dimension and non-standard occlusions
If you are a one tooth dentist looking to be a two tooth dentist…if you are a few teeth dentist and want to be a quadrant dentist…if you are a quadrant, arch or already doing full mouth rehabilitations-our goal is to help make you a better dentist tomorrow.
Learning Objectives
- Learn to recognize critical parafunctional red flags and why they matter.
- Recognize foundational concepts & rationals for occlusion in restorative care.
- Appreciate the balance between function, parafunction & aesthetics.
- Learn protocols for evaluation and delivery of single tooth to full mouth restorative dentistry.
- Learn when, why & how phasing treatment can be done safely.
- Learn realistic management of destructive forces in restorative dentistry.
The Faculty

Dr. Michael Melkers
Dr. Melkers is a 1994 graduate of Marquette University School of Dentistry & currently serves as Visiting Faculty at Rīga Stradiņš University & The Pankey Institute. He is also an Ad hoc reviewer for The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry & serves as an administrator for RIPE, Restorative Implant Practice Excellence.
In the past, he has been Director of Occlusion & Aesthetic Dentistry at the Pacific Northwest AEGD Residency Program and Visiting Faculty at The Spear Institute. He finished his tenure as Editor for the American Equilibration Society and received the 2018 AES President’s Distinguished Service Award.
Dr. Melkers is a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists & maintains a private clinical practice in Hanover, NH with a focus on comprehensive, adult restorative care.

Mr. Lucas Lammott
Lucas Lammott is Dr. Melkers technician partner & owner of M31 Dental Studio, a one-man laboratory focusing on high-quality dental restorations in Gloucester, MA.
With over 20 years of experience, Lucas has had the privilege to be educated and mentored by some of the most esteemed technicians and clinicians from around the world.
It has been his great honor to share his knowledge on quality, aesthetic dentistry and developing amazing technician~clinician relationships. When he is not layering ceramic, he is an avid photographer, musician, husband and father of two beautiful girls.
Location: The Pankey Institute
Course Dates:
- April 16, 2023 @ 8:00 am – April 18, 2023 @ 2:00 pm
Tuition: $2,195

Teaching Methods: Hands-On Participation Course | Contact: [email protected] | Faculty Bios: Click Here | Prerequisites: None

The Pankey Institute is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. The Pankey Institute designates this activity for 21 continuing education credits.