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September-October 2016 | No. 5, Vol. 6 Published in Dubai www.dental-tribune.me Photograph:Shutterstock.com Tenfactsaboutdentalimplants By Sebastian Saba DDS, Cert. Pros., FADI,FICD,EditorinChief Dental implant marketing often emphasizes “simplicity,” underplay- ing an inherent complexity in the product, procedure — and patient. Prosthetic dentistry is not simple. And patients rarely have simple problems. Potential complications can be far from simple to correct. To ease your learning curve with im- plant dentistry, following are some core variables that can be managed basedonprovenresearch. 1.Implantsurfacedesign:Chooseim- plants that have micro-topography and bioactive surfaces that enhance bonecontactandhavemacro-topog- raphy (overall shape) that better sta- bilizes bone profiles with little or no crestalboneloss. 2. Abutment connections: Internal connections have simplified abut- mentinsertion.Andiftheabutment- implant margin is kept shy of the implant outer surface, a connective tissue zone will develop. The result isimprovedbonepreservationatthe crest. Abutments should be torqued to position and have specifically de- signed abutment screws that sup- portlong-termstability. 3. Provisionalization phase: Once thought optional, today this step is a critical diagnostic and management tool used to verify osseointegration, occlusion, esthetics, soft-tissue man- agement, hygiene, prosthetic design andabutmentselection. 4. Prosthetic options — screw versus cement: Some companies empha- sizea“simpler”andfamiliarcement- only option. But irretrievability — presence of subgingival cement — can be problematic. Plan your de- signtominimizecomplications. 5. Earlier osseointegration and re- storative phases: Improved implant surfaces and shapes support pri- marystabilityinboneandenhanced osseointegration. Early loading is becoming more feasible — choose casescarefully. 6. Soft- and hard-tissue manage- ment: Timely placement of provi- sionals can influence the support and contour of tissue. Advance- ments in bone grafting and tissue preservation help preserve soft tis- sue, maintain anatomical bone con- tourandimprovegingivalesthetics. 7. Enhanced marketing: Implant dentistry is aggressively promoted. However,costsremainhighforaver- age-income patients. It’s critical that benefits a patient realizes far outlast anycorrespondingdebt. 8. Technological improvements: Zirconia ceramics and CAD/CAM have created an explosion in design, customizationandimprovedesthet- ics. Zirconium is doing for esthetics what titanium did for osseointegra- tion. 9. Computer-guided implant thera- py: You can’t deny the value of 3-D software that helps measure and locate vital structures such as the mandibularnerve,sinuscavitiesand nasal floor. But most practices still rely primarily on conventional radi- ography. 10. Long-term studies: Implant companies provide education, solid research and ongoing support to customers (you). Incorporating up- to-date knowledge into the clinical variablesyou’remanagingonadaily basiswillenableyoutoachieveapre- dictable approach in your decision- makingwithdentalimplants. This article was published in Implant TribuneCanadaEdition,May2015issue.