Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

15Implant TribuneNovember 14-20, 2011United Kingdom Edition W hilst the value of the dental microscope is widely acknowledged across the treatment spectrum, its impact has been most keenly felt in the field of implants. Implant dentistry is one particular application where the introduction of the micro- scope has brought significant benefits to every phase of the treatment protocol. Implant treatment may take place over several weeks and involve delicate and complex surgery where absolute clarity of view is vital to achieve the opti- mum outcome with minimal peripheral tissue damage or invasion. Studies have dem- onstrated that the accuracy of such procedures is almost always improved when sur- geons enlist the aid of a mi- croscope, a clear indication that employing microsurgical techniques in implantology of- fers advantages over more tra- ditional methods. The surgeon is able to place the implant through a relatively minute incision in the gingiva, thus minimising tissue trauma and significantly reducing the pain experienced by the patient; healing and osseointegration are both expedited, and over- all aesthetic results enhanced. A high specification, high magnification microscope is especially valuable in more challenging cases involving, for example, sinus elevations or the need to place implants proximal to other sensitive anatomic structures. The cur- rent generation of advanced microscopes allows unim- peded stereoscopic vision whilst dedicated illumination enables the delivery of high- contrast, true-colour images of even the most inaccessible areas to be viewed with clarity and in comfort. These state- of-the-art microscopes feature lenses of supreme precision which incorporate apochro- matic technology to eliminate chromatic aberration, and fil- ters which not only prevent premature curing but can en- hance the visibility of specific tissue types. A modern dental micro- scope offers more than simply a hugely magnified image of the treatment site. The com- bination of magnification with intense, shadowless, pano- ramic illumination from an in- tegrated co-axial light source brings into view features pre- viously imperceptible, even through the use of dental loupes. Typical benefits in- clude enabling more accurate drilling of the lateral socket wall to achieve greater stabil- ity for the implant, leading in turn to more accurate align- ment and the promotion of op- The surgical microscope in implant dentistry John Woods on improved clarity and improved precision page 18DTà For more information, contact BioHorizons Customer Care: +44 (0)1344 752560 or visit us online at www.biohorizons.com Laser-Lok 3.0 is the first 3mm implant that incorporates Laser-Lok technology to create a biologic seal and maintain crestal bone on the implant collar1 . Designed specifically for limited spaces in the aesthetic zone, the Laser-Lok 3.0 comes with a broad array of prosthetic options making it the perfect choice for high profile cases. SPMP10109 REV D SEP 2010 1. Radiographic Analysis of Crestal Bone Levels on Laser-Lok Collar Dental Implants. CA Shapoff, B Lahey, PA Wasserlauf, DM Kim, IJPRD, Vol 30, No 2, 2010. 2. Implant strength & fatigue testing done in accordance with ISO standard 14801. 3. Initial clinical efficacy of 3-mm implants immediately placed into function in conditions of limited spacing. Reddy MS, O’Neal SJ, Haigh S, Aponte-Wesson R, Geurs NC. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2008 Mar-Apr;23(2):281-288. 4. Human Histologic Evidence of a Connective Tissue Attachment to a Dental Implant. M Nevins, ML Nevins, M Camelo, JL Boyesen, DM Kim. International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry. Vol. 28, No. 2, 2008. • Two-piece 3mm design offers restorative flexibility in narrow spaces • Implant design is more than 20% stronger than competitor implant2 • 3mm threadform shown to be effective when immediately loaded3 • Laser-Lok microchannels create a physical connective tissue attachment (unlike Sharpey fibers) 4 Treat small spaces with confidence Introducing the Laser-Lok® 3.0 implant Human histology shows the apical extent of the junctional epithelium below which there is a supracrestal connective tissue attachment to the laser microchannel surface2 . Radiograph shows proper implant spacing in limited site. Laser-Lok 3.0 placed in aesthetic zone. Image courtesy of Michael Reddy, DDS Image courtesy of Cary Shapoff, DDS Treat small spaces with confidence spaces with confidence spaces with Introducing the Laser-LokIntroducing the Laser-Lok® 3.0 implant3.0 implant Bio Horizons_treat small.indd 1 01/03/2011 16:33