According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the dental implant and prosthetic market in the United States is projected to reach $6.4 billion in 2018, with 30 million-plus Americans missing all their teeth in one or both jaws requiring implant procedures. Therefore, Dr. Michael Tischler (our implant editor) and I firmly believe that more general practitioners (GPs) need to get involved in the placement of implants and seek proper training in order to participate in this exciting arena of dentistry. This is exactly why we started the Implants Today section and have focused on content with our GP colleagues in mind.
In our full-cover featured article this month, Dr. Jack Piermatti, one of our Implants Today advisory board members, presents a discussion on implant fixtures and abutment considerations. Jack’s private practice is limited to prosthodontics and implant dentistry, so he is obviously well-suited to bring a wealth of clinical experience to the table.
In other articles this month, Dr. David Beach discusses a few of the latest endodontic technologies that can help ensure case success; Dr. Daniel Drake focuses on what the GP should use and learn to optimize patient outcomes; Dr. Lou Graham talks about a recently introduced modern glass ionomer restorative material; Dr. Jack Griffin shows why excellent doctor-patient collaboration leads to the best results; Dr. Gary Kaye shares his final installment in an informative 3-part series on restorative digital dentistry; Dr. Ara Nazarian presents a case report that emphasizes factors that produce consistent patient success; Dr. Sam Simos centers his paper on the comparison of selected impression materials; and in our Viewpoint, Debra Seidel-Bittke talks about a variety of common challenges and how they can be addressed to enhance the dental practice.
In our formally peer-reviewed selection, available for 2 FAGD/MAGD CEUs, Dr. Plinio Mendes Senna et al present a case demonstrating the successful aesthetic restoration of a maxillary lateral incisor malformed by dens invaginatus.
Please enjoy this exciting issue of Dentistry Today!
