Attention to Detail

Nowadays, implants are a familiar part of the dental landscape, with more than an estimated 3 million people in the United States utilizing them. As a sturdy, dependable, long-term edentulous solution, the benefits of implants are plentiful, and patients view them quite favorably. And with success rates generally very high, it's easy to forget that dental implant placement and restoration is not foolproof.

However, in complex implant cases especially, treatment planning that involves multiple dental disciplines needs to be carried out with great care and never be taken for granted. This point is driven home in one of our featured articles in this issue, which describes a revision treatment following a catastrophic, even life-threatening, failure of an original ill-fitting implant reconstruction. Highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary treatment planning in a complicated case, this case report emphasizes how such planning is essential to facilitate implant placement that sufficiently accommodates the definitive prosthesis, and how in this day and age of implant propagation, meticulous planning must never be overlooked.

Attention to detail is also advised when dealing with periodontitis. Our first continuing education (CE) article this month focuses on this highly prevalent disease and how clinicians should approach the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal patients. The article reviews current literature on the etiology and progression of periodontal diseases, key factors that need to be considered in the diagnosis of periodontitis, and nonsurgical mechanical treatment options.

In our other CE article, we feature the second part of a "stress in dentistry" series. While part one (published in the May issue of Compendium) focused on the prevalence and implications of stress among dental providers, the current article explores ways to mitigate occupational stress in dentistry. The authors discuss such factors as vicarious trauma, boundaries, and expectations and provide various stress reduction solutions for dental professionals.

No matter one's skill level, experience, or comfortability with a given procedure, clinicians should never "go through the motions" when treating a patient. It is always imperative to stay informed on current treatments and techniques, treatment plan in thorough detail, and execute the plan with precision. Your patients will appreciate the care and compassion they receive.

Sincerely,

Markus B. Blatz, DMD, PhD
Editor-in-Chief
markus.blatz@conexiant.com