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ePaper created 2014-11-23, 21:56:20 | version 1.30.01
observations of dental protocols, materials, and sur- gical approaches. This provides key insight to diag- noses and treatment directions. Is continuing education a facade for marketing? In the absence of consistent scientific protocols, are 95%successrates,aspreviouslypromised,seenreg- ularly? If not, what is the problem here? The lack of academic oversight has allowed the corporate com- munitytointroducenewproducts,designs,andcon- cepts under the scientific radar. This oversight has provided an open invitation to “Cloned Implant Sys- tems” or “Aftermarket Implant” companies of ques- tionable origin, to infiltrate dental practices under thedisguiseof“Compatibility”withoutanyscientific information. The systems with questionable origin, scientificdocumentation,andqualitycontrolmaybe one factor contributing to reduced success rates. Once the courses are completed, most clinicians receive the golden label of approval, a dental certifi- cate of completion that they can hang on their den- talmantelattheoffice.OnMondaymorning,theybe- come changed and charged individuals. They have beenpre-programmedtonowlookatpatientsaspo- tential implant patients. Their approach to dentistry haschangedovernight.Inthepast,theyspentfourto five years in dental school learning most of the skills to save teeth. These skills involve different forms of dentistry, not limited to periodontics, operative den- tistry, or endodontics. They spent countless hours understandinghowtonegotiaterootsurfacesinde- bridement,rootcanalcurvaturesinendodonticsand multiple techniques in operative dentistry to save teeth.Butovernight,allthathaschanged.Whyspend so much time saving teeth, when you can remove them and place a dental implant at half the time? Is thisreallybetterforthepatient?Whyburdenthepa- tient with multiple periodontal procedures to save teeth when the alternative is here? This approach seems to be contagious in the thinkingofclinicianstoday.Manyareconcernedthat dentistsarenotpromotingtherightapproachtosav- ingtheintegrityofthenaturaldentition.Thisattitude is so contagious that even some endodontists are learning to place dental implants. Is this not a clear conflictofinterest?Whatistheirmotivation?Arewe doingenoughtoteachdentistshowtodiagnoseand prognose the ailing dentition? When does the ailing dentition become a failing dentition? When is it ap- propriate to choose implant dentistry over conven- tional, time-proven and predictable conventional dentistry? The removal of key aspects of dental training cre- ates dentists who are not confident in diagnosing or renderingthenecessaryprocedurestosaveteethad- equately. Their clinical skills in recognising and man- aging ailing dentitions are limited. Their ability to recognise when and where dental implants may be used can be influencing their ability or motivation to save teeth. Are we not creating a situation where we may not be doing what’s best for our patients? The way to address this issue is to exercise more caution when approaching continuing education. Choose your lecturers carefully, expect more from these sources of information, and learn more from your time commitments to continuing education. The true “need” should be to go back to basics and learn how to save teeth first, so patients are able to keep the most natural dental implant of them all._ opinion I I 37implants4_2014 The removal of key aspects of dental training creates dentists who are not confident in diagnosing or rendering the necessary procedures to save teeth adequately. Dr Michael Moscovitch is an Assistant Clinical Professor, Divi- sion of Restorative Sciences, at Boston University, and Clinical In- structor, McGill University Resi- dencyProgramattheJewishGen- eral Hospital in Montreal. He also maintains a private practice in Montreal limited to prosthetics and implant dentistry. Dr Sebastian Saba is the Editor-in-Chief of Dental Tribune Canada.He has a private practice in Montreal limited to prosthetic and implant dentistry. _about the authors implants [PICTURE: ©MAXIM BLINKOV ]