Dr. Vincent B. Ziccardi attended college at New York University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. From there, he attended Columbia University and earned his dental degree. Upon graduation from Columbia, he was accepted into the integrated MD/Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency training program at the University of Pittsburgh where he earned his MD degree and certificate in oral and maxillofacial surgery. It was during this time working with faculty in both the oral and maxillofacial surgery and Neurosurgery departments that he gained interest and experience in the management of trigeminal nerve injuries. Upon completion of training, Dr Ziccardi took a position as Assistant Professor and Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. He worked at this institution until taking a position at his current home at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in 1997. While working in New Jersey, he was initially made residency program director in 1998 and ultimately Chair of the department and Chief of Dental Medicine at University Hospital in 2002. He is presently tenured Professor at the University and holds a co-terminus position in the Division of Plastic Surgery. During his career, areas of clinical interest and research have included trigeminal nerve microsurgery, cleft lip and palate reconstruction, complex maxillofacial trauma and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Ziccardi is extensively published and nationally recognized expert in trigeminal nerve microsurgery and speaker within this subject matter. He continues to serve as residency program director, Chair and Chief of Service within University Hospital and Associate Dean of Hospital Affairs as well as the Director of the Craniofacial Center at University Hospital.

Sensory disturbances to the peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve can be a debilitating disruption to patients leading to problems with speech, mastication, food and liquid incompetence and difficulty with activities of daily living. These injuries may arise from a number of causes in dentistry. Some of the etiological factors resulting in trigeminal nerve injury are unpreventable, however, more precise surgical techniques and better imaging modalities may help reduce the incidence of these injuries. Injuries to the trigeminal nerve branches are a known and accepted risk in dentistry. It is important for practitioners to explain these risks to patients as part of the informed consent process and to recognize and document the presence of nerve injuries. Patients should be treated in a timely fashion or referred to practitioners skilled in microsurgical techniques for optimal sensory improvement.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the anatomy and mechanisms of nerve injury
2. Review the testing modalities to evaluate trigeminal nerve injuries
3. Learn about the surgical procedures required to treat trigeminal nerve injuries
4. Develop understanding of outcomes from trigeminal nerve microsurgery

The Office of Continuing Education reserves the right to end registration when an enrollment limit is reached and to cancel, modify, or alter content or faculty for any course if circumstances indicate the need for such a change. If the school finds it necessary to cancel a course, a full refund will be granted. All attempts to contact registrants will be made as soon as possible in the event of a course cancellation. The school will not be held responsible for any losses due to travel arrangements made by the registrant.

In the event of inclement weather (such as a snow emergency) or other extenuating circumstances, the Office of Continuing Education may be forced to cancel a course. If a course has been canceled, we will contact participants by the email address provided. You may call or email our office on the day of the course if you are uncertain of a course’s status.

Refund Policy for Continuing Education

A refund or credit will be issued (less a $50 admin fee) if received no later than three weeks prior to the course date. Refunds or tuition credit will not be given after that time or to no-shows. This does not apply to the local anesthesia course.