Discussions on Dental Implant Interviews

We recently had a chance to talk with Dr. Clark Stanford about Measuring Osseointegration, fluoride-modified surfaces, and various other clinical data that relate to the Astra Tech dental implant system.

The most significant advantage of the mini-implant is that it is a simple procedure for the doctor and patient, it is cost effective and requires no flap or suturing in most cases. Furthermore, the mini-implant can be restored with a permanent crown or bridge restoration at the time of placement if the F.I.R.S.T. procedure is utilized.

As such, the roles of specialists, such as periodontists and oral surgeons, and the interaction between these specialists and general dentists in all phases of implant dentistry, has started to change dramatically.

Having run Paragon Implant Company with 260 employees prior to selling to Centerpulse/Zimmer, I wanted to avoid the whole sales force/opinion leader method of selling dental implants that accounts for about 50% of Nobel’s and Straumann’s overhead. I believe in the Dell philosophy of selling direct and will have a very intuitive web site that explains the features, benefits and advantages of my new designs by direct comparisons to the competitor’s products.

We recently had the opportunity to interview Ed Marandola, the President and CEO of Imaging Sciences International, about their cutting-edge, 3-D, cone beam CT scanning technology, the i-CAT.

We are pleased to bring you this exclusive interview with Dr. Leon Chen, a periodontist who developed the Hydraulic Sinus Condensing Technique.

A CT scan yields the most accurate information about four critical factors in treatment planning for dental implants. A CT scan enables the dentist to quantify the quality and quantity of bone available.

Gerald Niznick and Implant Direct

Implants should never be considered as anything other than a supplemental tool in our restorative armamentarium and definitely not as a means of compensating for poorly designed or improperly fabricated prosthesis.

CT, with the 3-dimensional reconstruction available today, gives us incredible insights into the patient’s anatomy, not just for dental implants, but for other procedures as well.

I would also verify contact of the musculature at the corner of the mouth to be in contact with the buccal surface of the first premolar when the mouth is opened slightly.

The first article in a series that will cover both camera equipment and software utilized to enhance patient education and presentations.

I feel strongly that treatment planning involving implants offers many advantages over treatment planning for single crowns, fixed partial dentures and removable partial or complete dentures.

I use a device called a T Scan to measure the loads of the teeth around the implant and make sure I am getting what articulating paper and shim stock is showing me. It can be tedious but very important to avoid future complications.

Dentists need to know and be able to communicate as well as anticipate end results, what and how many procedures are necessary to achieve them, the approximate time involved and, last but not least risks and ramifications.

The most frequent question I am asked is How much will it hurt to get the dental implants. With IV sedation I can make a strong case for minimal pain

One of the more controversial areas in implant dentistry is the replacement of molars with single, wide platform implants.

The freestanding implant will be able to withstand the forces exerted in canine guidance. I have seen many successful cases restored like this.

Most of my implant failures have been due to pre-existing endodontic or periodontal infection at the surgical site or in teeth adjacent to the site.

I highly recommend sedation for extensive implant surgical procedures. Patients are extremely satisfied and refer other patients willingly.

I would say that the restorative dentist should prepare mounted diagnostic casts with full wax-ups of the ideal final restoration or alternative restorations.

“The freestanding implant will be able to withstand the forces exerted in canine guidance. I have seen many successful cases restored like this.” Michael Sonick, DMD