Dental Implants: Why Wait?
It's been some 60 years since "modern" dental implants--ie, the titanium variety that emerged thanks largely to the work of Professor Brånemark--were introduced. Much has changed in implant dentistry over the decades, from materials, shapes, thread designs, and surface technology, to treatment concepts and technical advancements. All of this change and innovation has been driven by a simple goal: to provide better tooth replacement options and outcomes for patients.
One example of this is faster treatment times. Now more than ever patients want their treatment completed as quickly as possible. No one wants to wait, whether for a doctor visit, a test result, or new dental implants. Fortunately, the modern-day implant workflow is built to accommodate this demand. Today, with proper case selection, careful treatment planning, appropriate augmentation procedures as needed, and precision placement, "immediate implants" can yield predictable, functional, and esthetic results in a patient-pleasing timely fashion.
This annual thematic issue of Compendium highlights developments in implant dentistry, with a focus on immediate implants. In our first continuing education (CE) article, the authors present guidelines for immediate versus delayed implant placement in the all-important esthetic zone. They discuss ideal conditions for immediate placement and the factors that might dictate a more cautious, delayed approach.
The second CE article describes the selective preservation of tooth (SPOT) procedure, which provides a simplified drilling protocol for the socket-shield technique (SST). SST, of course, is aimed at preventing hard- and soft-tissue collapse following immediate implant placement. The SPOT protocol is intended to reduce some of the surgical complications associated with SST.
A case report highlights a simplified bone regeneration technique for implant placement utilizing a customizable titanium membrane. Another case study presents the combined use of suture tenting, synthetic bone graft, and unique macro morphology implants for the reconstruction of class I and II sockets with associated class IV maxillary ridge defect, restored with an immediately loaded provisional bridge.
Since the early days, dental implants have flourished and become the treatment of choice for tooth replacement. Today's streamlined methodologies and novel improvements are making it easier and increasingly convenient for dental providers to meet the needs of their edentulous patients. We hope you'll enjoy this special issue of Compendium.
Sincerely,
Markus B. Blatz, DMD, PhD
Editor-in-Chief
markus.blatz@broadcastmed.com
Guest Editor
Barry P. Levin, DMD
