« December 2006 | Main

Locator Attachments

Dr. H asks,

I have been doing mandibular dental implant supported overdentures for some time. My standard design is for an anterior bar supported by 3-4 dental implant fixtures. I use a central clip and 2 distal ERA or preciclix attachments.

We have a new oral surgeon in town who feels locator attachments directly picked up in the overdenture is a superior restoration. I would appreciate feedback because we are starting a new case soon. How about this approach for a maxillary overdenture? Are they retentive enough for a horseshoe design?

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January 16, 2007 in Overdentures | Permalink

Abutment Insertion Problems

Dr. L. asks:

I have difficulty inserting the abutment into the dental implant fixture. The gingival tissue grows tightly against the healing cap.

I have to place releasing incisions at the distolingual and mesiolingual of the wound over the dental implant fixture platform in order to spread the tissue to insert the abutments.

I also usually have to core out the wound site with a #15 blade to gain space to insert the abutment. I have to do this for almost every case. I do not like having to do this. What can I do to eliminate this step? Any suggestions?

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January 16, 2007 in Abutments | Permalink

Implant Fixtures With Horizontal Microthreads

Dr. J. from Michigan asks:

I have read in the journals how dental implant designs with horizontal microthreads in the collar produce less bone loss.

I have discussed this with a number of dentists who place or restore these kinds of dental implants. The common consensus seems to be that this kind of design over time does not lead to much crestal bone loss. Is that your experience with these implants?

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January 16, 2007 in Dental Implant Systems | Permalink

Cone Beam CT

We are presenting information in this interview on Cone Beam Volumetric Tomography ( Cone Beam CT ) and its use in implant dentistry. Dr. Alan Winter, a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, who lectures internationally on this topic, has taken time out of his busy schedule to discuss this important issue with us. He is one of the chief dental consultants at APW Dental and Imaging Services, LLC, which is the leader in this field (www.apwdentalservices.com).

Osseonews: Dr. Winter, dentists have been using medical Computed Tomography (CT) scans to develop treatment plans for implant placement and restoration. Your company exclusively uses Cone Beam Volumetric Tomography (CBVT), which is a relatively new technology when compared to traditional medical scanners. How does it differ from the typical CT scanner used in medical radiologist’s offices?

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January 9, 2007 in CT Scanning | Permalink

Platform Switching

Dr. Y. asks:

I have been hearing a lot about platform switching. Can someone explain, in simple terms, what platform switching is, and why it may lead to less bone loss?

Is this truly a new concept or merely an old concept that is being being re-marketed? Finally, in what types of cases do you recommend platform switching and what particular problems have you encountered with this technique?

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January 9, 2007 in One Piece Implants | Permalink