While implant dentistry has advanced surgically, complication rates remain influenced by unrecognized biologic and systemic risk factors. This course presents a practical, evidence-informed approach to pre-operative biologic screening, including vitamin D assessment, inflammatory markers such as CRP, and salivary diagnostics. Attendees will compare current testing technologies—including PCR- and sequencing-based platforms—and learn how to interpret findings to identify high-risk patients. Emphasis is placed on actionable thresholds, timing of intervention, and when to delay surgery to improve outcomes. The goal is to shift implant planning from purely mechanical execution to biologically informed decision-making.
Learning Objectives:
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Identify systemic and oral biomarkers—including vitamin D levels, CRP, and salivary profiles—that influence implant success and complication risk.
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Compare salivary diagnostic platforms, including PCR-based tests and shotgun metagenomic sequencing, and understand their clinical implications.
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Recognize biologic red flags that warrant modification or delay of surgical treatment.
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Implement timing-based intervention strategies, including how long to optimize biologic deficiencies prior to implant placement.
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Integrate biologic risk assessment into informed consent and treatment planning, improving predictability and medico-legal defensibility.
Dr. Vivian Roknian is a dentist, educator, and entrepreneur based in Southern California, with nearly 20 years of experience in implant surgery, laser-assisted periodontal therapy, and complex case management. She practices in Beverly Hills, focusing on surgically demanding, high-expectation cases.
She is an Associate Professor at Temple University (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery), where she teaches full-arch implant surgery and complication management. Dr. Roknian is a Diplomate of the ICOI and a Fellow of the ICD, and has trained thousands of clinicians in advanced surgical techniques.
Her work emphasizes biologic risk stratification, in-office diagnostics, and protocol-driven care to improve surgical outcomes. She is also the founder of multiple dental ventures, including OptiHeal, and lectures nationally on implant dentistry, laser therapy, and data-driven clinical decision-making.