Newsletter

The movement of teeth adjacent to dental implant restorations is a perplexing and complicated phenomenon that may relate to normal alveolar growth, functional occlusal loading or parafunctional occlusal activities, or it may have some multifactorial etiology. Although understanding the factors that may lead to adjacent tooth movement is important, the mere fact that it occurs is an essential consideration in treatment planning, restoration and maintenance protocols.

To provide optimal implant-based clinical care for partially edentulous patients missing 2 to 3 teeth, the practitioners must consider implant location and design of the restoration prior to implant surgery.

The relatively recent development of titanium base abutments for implant-supported fixed prosthodontics, particularly single implant restorations, was intended to solve key laboratory and clinical problems.

While over the past several decades implant therapy has been remarkably successful in addressing challenging patient needs, the wise practitioner remains informed about potential surgical, treatment and posttreatment complications.