component of the Illinois Academy of General Dentistry hosted a seminar featuring Dr. Alvin
Neff. An award-winning dentist with a distinguished career in cosmetic and general dentistry, Dr.
Neff graduated with honors from the LSU School of Dentistry and has held numerous leadership
roles, including President of the Arkansas AGD. A pioneer in porcelain veneers since 1983, he
has served as a senior clinical instructor and clinical director for Aesthetic Advantage, founded
by Dr. Larry Rosenthal at the prestigious NYU Rosenthal Institute. Since 1997, Dr. Neff and his
team have been leading a live-patient, hands-on compendium, sharing their expertise with fellow
professionals. Outside of dentistry, he enjoys spending time with his family and is also a
competitive water-skier.
Dr. Alvin Neff’s course on cosmetic dentistry provided an in-depth exploration of smile
design, veneer preparation, material selection, and case acceptance strategies. Starting off from
the basics, he highlighted the importance of proper midline alignment, ideal tooth proportions,
and arch form for a natural appearance. Achieving gingival symmetry, axial inclinations, and
well-shaped embrasures is essential for aesthetic balance, while a minimally invasive prep
approach ensures optimal outcomes. The discussion covered different veneer types, bonding
methods, luting agents, and finishing techniques to create durable and aesthetic restorations.
Material selection compared feldspathic and pressed porcelain, with prep design guided by smile
aesthetics rather than material limitations. Lastly, he shared strategies to improve case acceptance
by focusing on patient-centered care, clear communication and targeted marketing, and an
exceptional new patient experience.
The Chicago AGD extends its heartfelt appreciation to our sponsors for their invaluable
support of our recent lecture. A special thank you to Wealthwave for their dedication to
empowering dentists to manage their financial futures effectively. We are grateful to McPhee
Coaching who provides Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for dental offices. Our thanks
also go to Philips Sonicare for their cutting-edge toothbrushes that enhance oral hygiene. We
appreciate Be-Guided for their innovative implant surgical guides that improve precision in
dental procedures. We also acknowledge Old National Bank for their specialized banking
services tailored to dental practices. Our gratitude extends to Garfield Refining for their reliable
refining services, to Neodent for their advanced dental implant solutions, and to Sonendo
Gentlewave who provide products for your endodontic treatments. We also thank Ottawa
Dental Lab for their high-quality dental laboratory services. Lastly, we appreciate Henry Schein
for their extensive range of dental products, technologies, and business services. Your support
has significantly contributed to the success of our event.
The March lecture is the third of the four Chicago AGD seminars for the 2024-2025
season. Please join us for our fourth and last seminar this season on Friday, May 2nd, 2025. Title:
A Beginner’s Guide for Confidently Cutting Your First 100 Arches & Full Arch Digital Workflow
with CT Alignment & Photogrammetry presented by Dr. Matt Krieger and Dr. Irbad Chowdhury.
Dr. Mark Krieger, an experienced OMFS specializing in All-On-X surgery, will provide a
beginner-friendly guide to confidently performing full-arch surgeries, covering patient selection,
treatment planning, surgical techniques, and complication management in the morning session.
In the afternoon session, Dr. Chowdhury, a board-certified implant specialist, will explore digital
workflows for All-on-X, demonstrating how CT alignment and photogrammetry can enhance
efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes in full-arch restorations. It would be a great
opportunity to gain valuable insights and take your full-arch surgical skills to the next level.
Prepared by Yao Qi, DMD, Chicago AGD Editor
