Clinical innovations and emerging technology in dental implants

Clinical innovations and emerging technology in dental implants
September 2004
Leon A. Assael, DMD
Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Online
A clinical problem addressed with many techniques is often one for which the best treatment method has yet to be found. In the case of implant dentistry, the variety of clinical techniques is greater than with any other endeavor in dentistry. The debate over the best uses of dental implants in our patients continues to be intense. One clinicianÇƒÙs guiding principles is anotherÇƒÙs blind dogma. In contrast to other endeavors with a cacophony of clinical debate, implant dentistry is unique in that clinicians are achieving ever-greater excellence because of a willingness to adhere to principles while letting go of dogma. Although our clinical techniques have stood the test of time, innovation in implant dentistry actually appears to be accelerating. Quality clinical results continue to be achieved with new and more challenging methods for the great majority of patients. Ever-improved functional outcomes for even more complex clinical conditions are being achieved. Achievements such as implants for the aesthetic treatment of lost maxillary anterior teeth were an exceptional innovation of a decade ago. Today, functional restoration of the total maxillectomy patients is achievable with dental implants.
The dogma of the recent past has undergone sequential erosion as recent techniques emerge. Some elements of the paradigms of the past retain adherents while other clinicians have long since abandoned them. Six months of healing before loading, machined titanium surfaces, softer highest purity titanium products, screw-retained restoration, nonpenetration of the maxillary sinus, cylinder implants, and 2-stage implants are some of the original principles that have served patients well but are now being replaced by new ideas proven in the clinical setting. Today, immediate loading, new surfaces, accelerated healing, alveolar distraction, computer-guided treatment, and creative combinations of innovations are emerging to continuously transform the practice of implant dentistry.
This special issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is devoted to clinical innovations and emerging technology in implant dentistry. It reflects the excitement of a vigorous arena of biotechnology that is at the boundaries of advances in health care. The melding of art and science into functional and aesthetic clinical results is the hallmark of the clinically relevant and exciting papers of this special issue.
This special issue also works in concert with the new implant section of JOMS. Thanks to implant section editors Michael Block, Tony Sclar, and Jay Malmquist, JOMS is able to present the state of the art in this exciting and rapidly developing surgical arena. This commitment of JOMS reflects upon the importance of implants in dental practice and the exceptional role that oral and maxillofacial surgeons play in the care of the dental implant patient. Let this special issue serve as an invitation to our readers and authors to seek yet greater clinical innovations and emerging technology in implant dentistry.
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Copyright ¨© 2004 by American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2004.06.045