Interdisciplinary Functional Dentistry. Practical Course by Mariano Rocabado

Dentistry meets physiotherapy in the protocols of one of the most inspiring specialists and renowned educators, Professor Mariano Rocabado!

This advanced 3-day practical course in the beautiful capital of Hungary – Budapest – explores the most complex craniofacial cases, where occlusion, bruxism, and cervical dysfunction intersect, showing how interdisciplinary collaboration creates true functional stability even before any occlusal rehabilitation.

During the training, Professor Rocabado will go beyond traditional approaches, combining diagnostics, clinical reasoning, and proven techniques into a clear, practical model that helps participants handle even the most complex cases with confidence and precision.

Key topics of the seminar:

– Foundations of the cranio–cervico–mandibular relationship, occlusion, and bruxism, and their impact on functional stability
– Interdisciplinary assessment strategies for dentists and physiotherapists, including static and dynamic occlusal analysis, postural evaluation, and TMJ examination
– Analog and digital articulator mounting techniques and working with the facebow
– Clinical application of occlusal splints within the tricentric concept.

The practical sessions include:

– TMJ and cervical diagnostic evaluation, muscle palpation, and mandibular mobility assessment
– Hands-on training in TMJ decompression techniques and myofascial release of masticatory muscles
– Intraoral and extraoral physiotherapy techniques for cranio-cervical stabilization
– Cervical derotation and decompression (C0–C1–C2) with activation of deep cervical flexors and mandibular stabilizers.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

– Evaluate the cranio–cervico–mandibular relationship comprehensively
– Detect instability before rehabilitation
– Integrate dental and physiotherapy diagnosis
– Determine the appropriate occlusal splint for each patient
– Apply basic and advanced TMJ and cervical stabilization techniques
– Establish real clinical criteria for functional stability
– Communicate and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team (orthodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, physiotherapy, dental laboratory) to achieve long-term stability.

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

Advantages of the “Practical Course” participation option:

– Participation in the scientific program
– 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 

– Access to online training by Mariano Rocabado & Roberto Gutierrez «Functional dentistry of Dr. Mariano Rocabado»

Program

Day 1 

Theory

First Consultation. Interdisciplinary Approach

– Diagnostic foundations and tricentric relationship:

- Concept of the Tricentric Relationship
- Cranio–cervical relationship
- Mandibular centric relation
- TMJ and cervical normality in radiographs and CBCT
- Neuromuscular integration abd the clinical importance prior to rehabilitation.

– First Interdisciplinary Consultation:

- What to evaluate? What to observe? Most common findings?
 

– The first interdisciplinary consultation for dentists:

- Static and dynamic occlusal analysis
- Wear patterns compatible with bruxism
- Occlusal interferences
- TMJ evaluation (sounds, limitations, deviations) and cranio-cervical assessment
- Centric relation vs maximum intercuspation.
 

– The first interdisciplinary consultation for physiotherapists:
 

- Global postural assessment
- TMJ condyle–temporal fossa relationship
- Forward head posture
- Cervical rotations
- C0–C1–C2 mobility tests
- Muscle evaluation (suboccipitals, SCM, upper trapezius).
 

– Analog and digital mounting:

- Use of articulator
- Centric relation records
- Facebow transfer
- Digital mounting and virtual analysis
- Advantages and limitations of each method.

Practical Part

TMJ and Cervical Diagnostic Evaluation in First Consultation. Peer-to-peer Clinical Evaluation

– Muscle palpation
– Mandibular mobility analysis
– Basic cervical evaluation
– Integrated diagnostic approach.

Day 2

Theory

Stabilization Techniques and Functional Correction

– Principles of decompression and stabilization:

- Radiological images of different pathologies and their relation to articulator mounting
- Concept of neuromuscular stability
- When not to rehabilitate?

– Role of the TRICENTRIC stabilization splint:
 

- How is it developed in conjunction with physiotherapy?
- Why is it different from a full-contact splint and Lucia Jig (anterior-only contact)?
 

– Motor control and muscle re-education
– How to Check the TRICENTRIC Occlusal Splint?
– TRICENTRIC occlusal splint and its clinical development according to pathology and patient evolution
– Clinical integration of dentistry and physiotherapy.

Advantages of the “Practical Course” participation option:

– Participation in the scientific program
– 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 

– Access to online training by Mariano Rocabado & Roberto Gutierrez «Functional dentistry of Dr. Mariano Rocabado»

Practical Part

TMJ Physiotherapy Techniques

– TMJ decompression techniques
– Myofascial release of masticatory muscles
– Intraoral and extraoral techniques
– Activation of mandibular stabilizers.

Cervical Derotation and Decompression

– Correction of cervical rotations
– Manual techniques C0–C1–C2
– Deep cervical stabilization
– Activation of deep cervical flexors.

Day 3

Practical Part

Tricentric Splint Recheck. Clinical Integration and Management of Simple/Complex Cases

– Comprehensive case analysis:

- Patients with severe bruxism
- Chronic temporomandibular disorders
- Associated persistent cervical pain
- Failure of previous rehabilitations.

– Interdisciplinary therapeutic sequence:
 

- Diagnostic phase
- Stabilization phase
- Reevaluation
- Stability criteria
- Appropriate timing for rehabilitation. 

Complex Case Management (Group work)

– Design of joint treatment plans
– Guided clinical discussion
– Interdisciplinary decision-making.