This month, in our introduction to Implants Today, let’s briefly discuss the many variations that exist in implant applications as we consider implant treatment for our patients. As the dental implant industry has grown over the past 10 years, so has the variety of options to choose from among dental implant fixtures, prosthetic components, and materials. The benefit of this variety is being able to offer our patients the best choices specific to the applications needed.
This month, we have 2 excellent articles that exemplify the diversity of implant applications. Dr. Todd Shatkin shares information based upon his many years of experience with placing mini dental implants, and Dr. Ara Nazarian presents a combination case involving standard-sized dental implants. These articles demonstrate how replacing missing teeth can be done with different size dental implants and different components.
The choice in every aspect of dental implant treatment starts with a definitive treatment plan. The treatment plan chosen between a doctor and the patient is based on many considerations. These considerations are cost, treatment time, aesthetic result, material longevity, and more. Through having the availability of different implant sizes and prosthetic components, many variations of final implant prosthetics can be achieved. The choices a clinician makes when selecting a dental implant fixture for a specific clinical situation is dependent on several factors and can include bone quality, bone length and width, adjacent tooth space, and the available prosthetic space. An additional consideration in implant fixture choice is the prosthetic attachment type. The prosthetic attachment to an implant fixture has an effect on abutment angulation choices, removable attachment options, interim provisionalization options, and more. All of this shows how treatment plans must be supported by the correct implant fixture, which in turn must be able to support the chosen prosthetic result.
The final prosthetic result often requires components that support the provisional aspects of treatment. The discipline of implant dental treatment has many variations of component choices, including implant fixtures. In the end, it is up to the clinician to become fully educated in these matters and to properly choose among the many options available to realize a successful final outcome for the patient.
If you have any questions or comments about this topic, or any other subject presented in Implants Today, feel free to contact Dr. Tischler at mt@tischlerdental.com.
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