success is... - DENTSPLY Friadent

successful practice
“What aspects of a successful practice must be discussed in future?”
| Dr. Fred Bergmann, Viernheim (Germany)
PLANNING AS A PREREQUISITE FOR SUCCESS
Implantology is a surgical discipline with a prosthetic component.
Thorough knowledge of oral surgery and diagnostics, as
well as periodontics, are essential for success. Successful
implantology is based on comprehensive therapy planning.
Casts and orthopantomographic images must be interpreted
correctly in their context. What teeth should be preserved,
which teeth require periodontal treatment beforehand? What
is the general concept – fixed or removable dentures? What
esthetics are possible? And what are the prognoses for longterm
success? The correct diagnosis is decisive for all of these
items. This means that this topic must be covered as part of a
structured training and continuing education program. The
options available with modern 3D planning do make it easier,
assuming that dentist, prostheticist and dental technician all
communicate adequately. However, three-dimensional diagnostics
can only yield predictions on the actual bone volume,
implant position and length, angulation and any possible
damage to neighboring anatomical structures. This information
is not enough for an overall planning concept. 3D diagnostics is
an important factor in the overall planning process, but it is not
the factor that can specify everything. Communication among
all involved and experience in planning and implementation are
the parameters for success, even in complex cases.
IDENTITY | 13
TROUBLESHOOTING The more implants placed and the
longer implants remain in the mouth the more frequently will
we have to deal with problems such as peri-implantitis and
with various components and abutments in prosthetics. It is
important to remain up to date, to learn new techniques and
to recognize trends.
IMPLANT DESIGN An implant design should include a bioactive
surface for even shorter healing periods and more intensive
bone contact. It may also be possible to avoid grafting in
many cases. Patients also prefer less traumatic procedures.
I see developments in the direction of greater prosthetic variety.
The internal design must be rotation-locked, positionable as
desired (e.g. Xive) or also suitable for abutments that can be
rotated 360° (e.g. Ankylos).
PORCELAIN IMPLANTS There will also be developments in
ceramic implants, but in the foreseeable future I see ceramic
implants only as solutions for very specific indications.
Research and development in this area still has a long way to
go and the implants have not yet reached the level of titanium
implants in flexibility or predictability.
MEMBRANES A great step forward would be the development
of a resorbable membrane with the positive properties of a
non-resorbable membrane. The results would be even more
predictable – possibly in the near future?
Dr. Fred Bergmann
Heidelberger Straße 5-7
68519 Viernheim/Germany
Phone 0049 (0)6204 912661
FredBergmann@oralchirurgie.com
www.oralchirurgie.com