Immediate provisionalization of single tooth ITI implants placed into ...

www.osseo.orgVolume 13, Number 3 • 2002A quarterly publication of the Academy of OsseointegrationIn This IssuePresidential Profile:Dr. James Doundoulakis . . . . . .2Is it time to rationalizeeducation and certification? . . .5AO, three eliteorganizations collaborateon Annual Meeting . . . . . . . . . .7Tom Stratton named corporateliaison to AO Board . . . . . . . . .7AO adds 400 new members . .12AO launchesmentoring program . . . . . . . . .14OsseointegrationFoundation News . .Special InsertAcademy NewsAcademy of Osseointegration85 W. Algonquin Road, Suite 550Arlington Heights, IL 60005847/439-1919EditorDavid Guichet, DDSEditorial ConsultantsVincent Celenza, DMDJoseph J. Kravitz, DDSWilliam Mihram, DDSMichael R. Norton, BDS© The Academy of Osseointegration. All rights reserved.Special FeatureImmediate provisionalization ofsingle tooth ITI implants placedinto fresh extraction socketsBy Akshay Kumar, DMD and Robert Jaffin, DMDThe concept of immediate loading of dentalimplants has received great attentionover the last few years. Most publicationshave focused on the fully edentulousarch 1-2 . In these cases, immediate loadinghas proven successful, provided certainparameters can be met. These parametersinclude good primary stability of eachimplant, rigid splinting of the implants,a passively fitting bridge, amutually protected occlusalscheme, and the elimination ofany potential for the bridge toloosen during healing. By followingthese guidelines, the riskof micromotion is significantlyreduced, and implant successcan be expected.The idea of applying immediateload to a single implant has alsobeen investigated, although notas extensively. This techniquewould provide several benefitsover delayed loading such as decreasingtreatment time, minimizing surgical procedures,and maximizing aesthetic outcomes.Patients who face the dilemma of losing asingle anterior tooth have many options.A three-unit bridge provides for immediatetooth replacement in a fixed manner. Animplant, however, warrants a removableprosthesis during healing (six weeks to sixBoston Site of AO’sAnnual Meeting…continued on page 8Boston will be the site of AO’s Annual Metting,“Collaborative Strategies in Implant Dentistry,”February 26-March 2. This view of downtownBoston was taken from the Kennedy Library,accross the back bay. Turn to page 7 for more onthe meeting.The purpose of the Academy of Osseointegration is to advance the science and application of tissue replacement in oral and facial care.

Presidential ProfileDr. James Doundoulakis known as caring, giving,Friends describe Academy PresidentDr. James H. Doundoulakis as a caring,giving person.After the September 11 terrorist attackshit lower Manhattan, some 60 blocksfrom his office on East 66th Street, Dr.Doundoulakis readily signed on for thegrim duty of identifying the victims as amember of a large team of forensic dentists.He ended up spending over 100hours over a 2 1 /2-month period at theNew York City Medical Examiner’sOffice, headed by another AO member,Dr. Jeffrey R. Burkes.months to get the practice back togetheragain,” he says.Dr. Dayn C. Boitet, Orange Park, FL,AO President at the time of the attacks,▲Dr. Doundoulakis visitingwith President and Mrs.Clinton at a friend’s homein New York, NY.case. I can’t think of anybody it couldhave been more of a pleasure to pass thePresident’s gavel to,” Dr. Boitet says.Joined missionary teamThree years ago, Dr. Doundoulakisjoined a missionary team that spenttwo weeks in Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil,treating poor patients with cleft palateand other facial deformities. As the teamleft, its mission complete, he remembers,“I can’t express how good I feltdeep down. As much as this stellar teamdonated with our hands to the communityof Juazeiro, the locals gave back tous so much more in friendship, gratitude,and gratefulness.”In 1998, he participated in the GoodwillGames in New York City as a chief drugofficer of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency(formerly a part of the U.S. OlympicCommittee). It promoted fair competitionby operating a comprehensivetesting program at the Games, resultingin the maintenance of drug-free sports.“It was gut-wrenching. It ate your insidesout. In many cases, we didn’t have dentalrecords that would be required to identifyremains. In other cases, we foundonly a jaw bone, no teeth left tomatch with dental records,” Dr.Doundoulakis says. One of his dutieswas to release body bags to morticians/funeralhomes preparing theremains for bereaved family members.“Vivid images I will never forget,”he says.Dr. Doundoulakis had time to serveon the forensic team, because nearlyall of his patients canceled their appointmentsfor two weeks after the attacks.“No one wanted to be in Manhattan. Itwas a war zone. It took about two▲Dr. Doundoulakisreceiving his honor asChevalier of the Orderof the Knights Hospitallerof St. John.excused Dr. Doundoulakis from some ofhis Board duties while he worked on theforensic team and rebuilding his practice.“Volunteering for the forensic teamwas typical of the kind of person he is.“No one wanted to be inManhattan. It was a warzone. It took about twomonths to get the practiceback together again.”He’s extremely well liked, diplomatic, avery nice guy who really cares. He’salways concerned that everybody’shappy. In meetings, he makes sureeveryone has time to state his or herThe Sovereign Orders of KnightsHospitaller of Saint John investedDr. Doundoulakis as Chevalier inrecognition of his humanitarian work,including both the Brazilian mission andthe Goodwill Games. Active in Hellenicorganizations, he was one of 30 leadersof the Greek-American health care communitycalled to The White House in1995 to provide perspectives on healthcare issues.He was elected class president ofhis dental school class all four yearsat the University of Pennsylvania.After a one-year residency at theSt. Luke’s-Roosevelt HospitalCenter in New York, Dr.Doundoulakis completed a twoyearpost-doctoral fellowship inprosthodontics at the Harvard-VAprogram, specializing in removable,fixed and implant prostheticreconstruction. He completed his subspecialtytraining in maxillofacial prostheticsat Roswell Park Cancer Center,Buffalo, NY.2

diplomatic, well likedPractice in ManhattanHe entered private practice inManhattan in 1986, where he specializesin cosmetic dental rehabilitation,prosthodontics and maxillofacial prosthetics,and implant tooth replacement.He is also Section Chief, MaxillofacialProsthetics and Assistant Attending,St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center,and Attending and Assistant ClinicalProfessor, New York Hospital-CornellMedical Center.Dr. Doundoulakis is a fellow ofthe prestigious American Collegeof Dentists, a group of dentistswho have demonstrated leadershipand have made significant contributionsto advancing dentistry. Heis also a Fellow of the AmericanAcademy of MaxillofacialProsthetics (1986), the GreaterNY Academy of Prosthodonticsdifferent sterilization techniques, theireffect on the implant titanium surfaceand their role in the bone-implant interfaceand bioadhesion. After presentinghis research at the Chicago AnnualMeeting, Dr. Doundoulakis becameactive in the Academy, joining theResearch Committee.“As the Academy grew, Dr. CharlieBerman became a mentor (especiallydue to my early interest in plasma glowdischarge) and directed me to get moreDr. Doundoulakis in his Manhattan officenew investigation we foster andsupport. It is this steady devotionto excellence that has madethe Academy the leader in itsfield,” he says.Dr. Doundoulakis currentlyserves as Associate Editor/Esthetics and Implant Dentistryof The Journal of the AmericanDental Association under anotherprominent Academy member,Dr. Marjorie K. Jeffcoat,Birmingham, AL, JADA Editor.(1987), the New York Academy ofDentistry (1994), and the AO.In 1988, Dr. Doundoulakis’ researchdrew the attention of AO AnnualMeeting Program Chair Dr. DanielY. Sullivan, Washington, DC. Duringhis maxillofacial residency, he studied▲▲As Crew Chief, Doping Control, for the USNational Cycling Champioinship held last summer.Dr. Doundoulakis has also participated in the GoodWill Games, National US Sailing Championships,and the NY Marathon.The rampaging bulls the day Dr. Doundoulakisran, during the Fiest of San Fermin in Pamplona,Spain.involved with the group. I was appointedthe Academy’s delegate to the NationalImplant Registry in Washington.Dr. Bejan Iranpour, Chair of theResearch Committee when I firstbecame a member (and later himselfCommittee Chair), envisioned the futureand credibility of the Academy in theEver on the goProfessional and humanitarianendeavors keep Dr. Doundoulakisever on the go, but he does havea lighter side. After attending arecent dental conference inSpain, he traveled to Pamplonaduring the famous Festival of SanFermin to fulfill a lifelong ambition andrun with the bulls. He survived the franticrun without a physical injury butexperienced a wide range of emotions“from fear to excitement and back tofear again.”Foundation’s online survey asks members to help guide future directionsThe Osseointegration Foundation is conducting an independent,third-party, online survey of Academy membersto gather information for future planning. The Foundationcurrently devotes about 65% of its resources to indigentcare and 35% to osseointegration research. TheFoundation is asking members to help assess that balancefor the future. It also wants to understand better themotivations of contributors and gain other informationfor guidance of future directions. Cooperation will begreatly appreciated.3

News From Across The PondIs it time to rationalize education andcertification in implant dentistry?By Michael R. NortonEducation in implantology is and shouldcontinue to be a source of concern to usall. The lack of any body of approvedprimary postgraduate training in a fieldthat is yet to be categorized as a definedspecialist entity is fraught withdifficulty. As a result, we seemany varied specialties such asoral surgery, prosthodontics,periodontics and now evenendodontics offering their ownapproaches to this multi-disciplinarysubject, implant dentistry,as integral parts of their ownpostgraduate specialist courses.Some schools in the U.S. andEurope are trying to create a multi-disciplinaryinput into the training of postgraduates.However, I cannot help butfeel a sense of misdirection in thisapproach. The reasons for my concernare born of a significant difference in theU.S. and UK systems. In the UK, specialistsare not restricted to practicingwithin their chosen field. There is considerablemerit in this. It seems strangeto me that a U.S. clinician who is morehighly trained and qualified is forced tolimit his or her area of practice, whilea dentist with no specialist trainingor additional qualifications is free topractice all forms of dentistry.The UK systemOn the other hand, the UK system doesoccasionally result in some surgeonsattempting to restore their implants andvice-versa, not always with the desiredresults (understatement!). Indeed, due tothe relative inexperience that some specialiststypically have in other fields ofdentistry, maybe there is an argumentfor the U.S. system. Nonetheless, as asurgeon who practices both as part of ateam and also as a sole provider, I knowthat when correctly dispensed, the latterapproach can benefit the patient greatly.Sole provider patients sense the benefitof continuity of care and responsibility.In addition, sole provider patientsusually benefit from a reduced financialburden, when compared to patientstreated by a team.In the UK, we now have a small numberof MSc courses in implantology, themost notable of whichare run by the EastmanDental Institute and theGKT Institute at Guy’sHospital Dental School.Michael R. Norton is an editorialboard member of Academy Newsand the immediate past presidentof the British Association of DentalImplantology (UK). He is registeredwith the General Dental Council of Great Britainas a specialist in Surgical Dentistry.However, one cannot fail to notice thatthese courses tend to attract more dentistsfrom the overseas community thanthose who have trained and intend topractice at home. Furthermore, thesedegrees are impotent in a practicalsense, since they confer no specialiststatus. Yet there is already mountingevidence that colleagues with this qualificationdescribe themselves as specialistsin implantology. This is misleading, andit could be illegal, since there is no registeredspecialist list of implantologistsfor the public to consult.Now, a new Diploma inImplantology in the UKTo add to this concern, the Faculty ofGeneral Dental Practitioners (FGDP), asub-faculty of the famous Royal Collegeof Surgeons, has recently announced anew initiative for the creation of aDiploma in Implantology. This Diplomahas been geared and targeted towardgeneral dental practice and will conferupon the recipient a legal certificate ofcompetence in implantology, and what ismore important in the UK, more lettersto place after one’s name! (As you know,we British are infatuated with the statusthese letters can confer).To make matters worse, the Diploma inImplantology has been set up withoutconsultation with the wider professionor the British Association of DentalImplantology, which represents at least800 dentists with an interest in implantology.Perhaps the most serious cause forconcern is that this diploma is to beoffered in collaboration with a sponsorcompany, which is makingstrident efforts to increaseits UK market share.We should all recognize theimmense value that sponsorshipand support of trainingcourses brings, providingeducational establishmentswith much needed funding.At the same time, it givesthe sponsoring company a rich vein ofopportunity to indoctrinate the as yetundecided implantologist-to-be. Weshould closely monitor any commercialbias that may go with such sponsorships,especially when the recipient is anapparently independent establishmentsuch as a dental school and the FGDPof the Royal College of Surgeons.Debate touches raw nervesThis topic is likely to spark a debate thatrightly touches on raw nerves, but itbehoves each of us to try and encouragea rationalization of approach to educationand certification in implant dentistry.If one believes that implants arenot to be provided at will in generalpractice by those who have attended aweekend manufacturer’s course or independentcourses run by other moreexperienced implantologists, then wemust be prepared to provide structuredcourses within an established specialtythat confers a level of expertise upon apracticing dentist that a lay person cantrust. The public wants implants deliveredby a specialist in implantology.That is what they ask for in the UK, andI suspect that is what they also want inthe U.S. Perhaps it is time for implantdentistry to give them what they want.5

AO, three elite organizations join to present Annual Meetingon ‘Collaborative Strategies in Implant Dentistry’Diverse perspectives on the future ofimplant dentistry converge next spring,as the Academy of Osseointegrationhosts its 2003 Annual Meeting withthree other eliteprofessional organizationsto highlight“CollaborativeStrategiesin ImplantDentistry,”February 26 -March 2, inBoston.Bejan IranpourCo-sponsored by the AmericanAssociation of Oral & MaxillofacialSurgeons (AAOMS), American Academyof Periodontology (AAP), and theAmerican College of Prosthodontists(ACP), this first-of-its-kind meeting combinesthe foremost authorities from theseand other prestigious organizations for acomprehensive view at various aspects ofimplant dentistry and its future.“The 2003 Annual Meeting is unique byvirtue of its multidisciplinary sponsorshipand focus on collaborative approaches tothe clinical and scientific advancements inimplant dentistry.” said Dr. BejanIranpour, Rochester, NY, the MeetingChairman. “This perspective willenhance the ability to provide broaderand more effective treatment to patients.”The meeting will feature several symposiaand clinical presentations designedto track the latest developments inimplant dentistry. Limited AttendanceLectures, Lunch and Learn Sessions, OralResearch, Poster Abstracts and ClinicalInnovation seminars will provide ampleeducational opportunities for the attendeesin both formal and informal settings.The CorporateForum, expanded fornext year’s meeting,will include a half-dayof 14 manufacturerhostededucationalsessions. The latest inresearch and developmentin craniofacialimplant technologywill be introduced inthis forum.Per-Ingvar BränemarkThe meeting will be enriched by theparticipation of two distinguishedscholars, Dr. Harold C. Slavkin andProfessor Per-Ingvar Bränemark.Dr. Slavkin will deliver the keynoteaddress: “Tissue Engineering –Modifying the Healing Process.”Dr. Slavkin is Dean of the University ofSouthern California School of Dentistryand former Director of the NationalInstitute for Dental and CraniofacialResearch. He isa scientist notedfor his accomplishmentsin thefield of geneticsand craniofacialresearch.ProfessorBränemarkwill speak onHarold Slavkin“Osseointegrationin Clinical Reality— Educational Mistakes &Prophylactic Collaboration.” Hispioneering scientific research andclinical studies have formed thefoundation for the contemporaryapplication of implants in dental andorthopedic rehabilitation. He is wellknown to all of us.Experienced executive Thomas P. Stratton namedCorporate Liaison to AO Board of DirectorsA veteran executive with 10 years of experience in the dentalimplant field will serve as corporate liaison to the Academy’sBoard of Directors.Thomas P. Stratton, Vice Presidentand General Manager of the DentsplyFriadent CeraMed division ofDentsply International, has accepted aposition on the prestigious board andwill attend all AO Board meetings.“AO is the only major professionalorganization in implant dentistry withan industry voice as liaison. The AOThomas Strattonwants industry participants to have asay in how the meetings are run, and I see this as an opportunityfor us to partner to ensure that the Academy’s corporatesupporters and exhibitors receive a solid return on theirinvestment,” Stratton said.“I can only be an effective voice for the industry when I getfeedback from industry participants. I urge my industry colleaguesto keep me informed of their concerns by e-mail(tstratton@dentsplyfc.com) or telephone (800/426-7836),”he added.Stratton, a native of Minneapolis, MN, holds a degree in publicrelations from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN.He gained nine years of marketing experience in the commercialprinting business before joining Dentsply Implants as asales representative in 1992. Dentsply International is theworld’s largest dental manufacturer with sales of $1.5 billion.“Implant manufacturing companies have had a key role in theAcademy’s success and growth,” said AO President Dr. JamesH. Doundoulakis, New York. “We are very fortunate to havea person with Tom Stratton’s experience and accomplishmentscontributing to effective policy making.”7

Special FeatureImmediate provisionalization of single tooth ITI implantsTable 1: Immediate Load by Locationmonths long) which may compromisesoft and hard tissue architecture leadingto a less than optimal esthetic result.Therefore, an implant immediatelyplaced into an extraction socket with arestoration would become the treatmentof choice for many patients.The obvious risks of immediate loadingof single implants are trauma and subsequentmicromotion. Many of the safeguardsinvolved in immediate loading ofmultiple implants, such as splinting andcross-arch stabilization through goodanterior posterior spread, are not applicable.Therefore, defining a strict protocolis imperative in order to produceconsistent and predictable results.Wohrle 3 , in his report of 14 cases,immediately loaded only those implantsthat torqued to 45 Ncm or greater.Similarly, Hui et al 4 , utilizing machinedsurfaceimplants, required a minimuminsertion torque of at least 40 Ncm. InDr. Akshay Kumar received his D.M.D.from Tufts University School of DentalMedicine and completed his post-graduatetraining in periodontics at TempleUniversity. A Diplomate of the AmericanBoard of Periodontology, he is an activemember of the Academy of Osseointegration.In addition to being a clinical attendingat Hackensack University Medical Center,Dr. Kumar maintains a private practicein Hackensack, New Jersey.Dr. Robert A. Jaffin received his D.M.D.from the University of Pennsylvania andhis Certification in Periodontics fromColumbia University. He is a Diplomateof the American Board of Periodontology.A renowned lecturer, Dr. Jaffin haspublished extensively on implants.He is a founder andFellow of the Academyof Osseointegration andDirector of PeriodontalServices at HackensackUniversity MedicalCenter.Drs. Kumar and Jaffinboth studies, the occlusion was protectedby adjacent teeth and all workingand non-working contacts wereeliminated.As a result of our literature review,we began a study to evaluate immediateprovisionalization of singleimplants upon extraction, utilizingITI implants. From January 1998 toJuly 2002, 56 implants have beenplaced and immediately provisionalized.Table I describes implantlocation according to tooth position.All implantsutilized wereStraumann solidscrew, SLA surfacedimplants,the majority withEsthetic Pluscollars.The implant team adopted the followinginclusion criteria:• Patients in good health;• Patients well informed of the risk andbenefit of this technique, which wasstill not considered conventional;• Presence of protected occlusion (outof contact in centric,protrusive andlateral excursions);• Excellent primarystabilityhad to beachieved duringsurgery;302520151050▲# ofimplants▲Patient at presentation. He refused orthodonticsto extrude number 9 and extraction of paglateral at number 10.Day of surgery, after extraction, implant placementand abutment with plastic sleeve in place.▲AnteriorMolar• No vertical augmentationwasindicated.Important variationsbetween casesincluded location,type of occlusion,(over-bite/over-jet),gingival type (thickflat/thin scalloped),bone level of adjacentteeth, need for bone grafting, andpresence of infection.ProcedureIf acute infection was present, we startedthe patient on antibiotics 5 to 7 daysbefore the procedure. The tooth wasextracted in an atraumatic manner andthe socket thoroughly degranulated.Osteotomy preparation utilized a surgicalstent and a round burr penetratingthe palatal wall of the socket. The2 mm twist drill is angled towards thepalatal aspect of the socket and continues4 to 5 mm past the apex. Thistechnique safeguards against perforatingthe buccal plate and provides for betterprimary stability. The drill sequence8

placed into fresh extraction sockets…continued from page 1continues until the appropriate diameteris reached.We based selection of implant diametermore on degree of primary stability thanon trying to fill the tooth socket. Theimplant is submerged so that the bevelon the implant is flush with the mostcoronal aspect of the buccal crest. Thisprevents the risk of tissue shrinkage andexposure of the titanium collar. Sincebone does not osseointegrate to thesmooth polished collar, utilizing anEsthetic Plus collar which is 1.8 mm inheight instead of the smooth collar’s 2.8mm allows less risk of resorption of thebuccal crest of bone and subsequentrecession.The appropriate prosthetic abutment isplaced with an attempt to torque to 35Ncm. In most cases, an impressioncylinder (Straumann) is snapped ontothe implant and abutment to prevent thetissue from collapsing into the socket.The patient returns to the dentist witha wax-up sleeve (Simplified ImplantDentistry, Sacramento, CA). The plasticlateral excursion. If no bone loss hasincurred and all four walls of the socketare intact, grafting is not indicated.However, if the buccal plate has beenlost as a result of previous infection ortrauma, bone augmentation utilizingBio-Oss covered by a Bio-Gide membraneis carried out. Since the implant isusually placed well within the housing ofthe extracted tooth, the membrane iswell supported. The flap is replaced toits original position covering theresorbable membrane completely. Greatcare is taken in these cases to make certainno cement is left behind under theflap. A radiograph can confirm this.We instruct the patient to maintain anormal diet but to avoid hard foods inthe surgical area for six to eight weeks.We explain that a sudden jolt to theimplant could cause it to loosen and thusfail. The patient returns for follow-up atone and three week intervals. We checksoft tissue healing to make certain thereis no infection and that an adequateblood clot has filled in between theimplant and surrounding bone. We alsoconfirm stability of the implant bymaking certain there is no mobility orpain upon touch. Following a conventionalhealing time, we remove thetemporary crown and re-torque theframe. Soft tissue healing appears to begood, and esthetic results appear to be asgood if not better than delayed loading.Radiographic assessment shows goodhealing. The buccal profile or eminenceappears to be better in those sites wheregrafting was carried out. In two cases,where there was no grafting, the buccalplate appears to have resorbed slightlytowards the implant. Tissue health wasstill excellent and no increased probingdepth was noted.In five of the 56 implants, the temporarycrown loosened at least once during thehealing. Although annoying for thepatient, no untoward effect occurred. Intwo of these cases, it was recommendedthat a more permanent cement be used.…continued on page 11Bibliography1. Tarnow DP, Emtias S, Classi A.Immediate loading of threaded implantsat stage 1 surgery in edentulous arches:Ten consecutive case reports with 1- to5-year data. Int J Oral Maxillofac Impl1997; 12(3):319-324.2. Jaffin RA, Kumar A, Berman CL.Immediate loading of implants in partiallyand fully edentulous jaws: A seriesof 27 case reports. J Periodontol May2000; 71(5):883-838.▲Pre-op of the failing tooth.Day of surgery.▲sleeve or wax-up coping is picked upinto either an Omni-vac shell or preformedtemporary crown. It can then berelined precisely outside the mouth.The provisional crown is then cementedutilizing temporary cement. Theocclusal scheme is similar to thatdescribed by others 5 . It is kept outof occlusion in centric and more importantly,clear of contact in protrusive andabutment to 35 Ncm to confirmosseointegration. At this point, the finalrestoration can be fabricated.ResultsFifty-six implants have been placed in thismanner. Eight of these required boneaugmentation. No implants have beenlost. Each of the cases went on to completionas outlined by the original time3. Wohrle PS. Single-tooth replacement inthe aesthetic zone with immediate provisionalization:fourteen consecutive casereports. Pract Periodontics Aesthet Dent1998 Nov-Dec; 10 (9): 1107-14; quiz1116.4. Hui E; Chow J; Li D; Liu J; Wat P;Law H. Immediate provisional forsingle-tooth implant replacement withBranemark system: preliminary report.Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2002; 3 (2):79-86.5. Andersen Eivind; Haanaes Hans Reidar;Knutsen Bjorn Mork. Immediate loadingof single-tooth ITI implants in theanterior maxilla: a prospective 5-yearpilot study. [In Process], Clin OralImplants Res 2002 June; 13 (3): 281-7.9

Immediate provisionalization of single tooth ITI implantscontinued from page 9In four of the five cases where this occurred, the abutmentlength was significantly shorter than the crown length.ConclusionsOur results indicate that immediate implant placement into afresh extraction socket followed by immediate fabrication of aprovisional restoration is an effective means for treating manysituations. The key surgical step is to provide excellent primarystability while placing the implant in its proper position.The key prosthetic step is to provide complete relief ofocclusal contacts. Patient compliance is critical to avoid traumato the area duringhealing. Thegreatest benefitof this procedureseems to be patientsatisfaction.Two week healing with immediate temporary.The patient doesnot have to wear aremovable prosthesis,and there isa sense of completionon the day ofextraction, implant placement,and provisionalization. Bonegrafting does not appear tonegatively influence healingor implant success. In the twocases where some buccalresorption in a buccal lingualdimension was noted, it is possiblethat a blood clot did notadequately form between theimplant and the buccal plate.One technique we are implementingis to allow the extractionsocket to fill half way witha blood clot before placing theimplant. It is possible that ifa clot is not present in the Final crown.socket at the time of implantplacement, and the implant body is compressing the bonyplates, a dry socket may develop towards the buccal aspectleading to bone resorption. These factors and others need tobe closely monitored and studied in greater detail. The presentresults along with those of others are encouraging.11

AO adds 400 new members, tops 4,200ACTIVEArash Aftabi, DMD, Seal Beach, CATony Aherne, BDS, MDS, DRD RCSed,Cork, IrelandYung Ahn, DDS, MSD, SUWON, Gyunggi-Do,South KoreaJohn O. Akers, DDS, Daytona Beach, FLLoredano Allegrone, DDS, Sestri Levante,Genova, ItalyAna J. Amaya, DDS, MS, San Francisco, CADeadline for submission ofapplications for recognition as aFellow is December 31, 2002.Applications may be obtained bycontacting the Academy office ordownloaded from the Academy’sWebsite www.osseo.org.Ramsey A. Amin, DDS, Burbank, CA,Hal N. Arnold, DMD, MS, Atlanta, GAMomar Bary, DDS, New York, NYStephen L. Bass, DDS, MS, Plano, TXThomas D. Berry, MD, DDS, Atlanta, GAJoseph A. Best, DDS, PhD, Waukesha, WIPaul A. Betts, BDS, MDent, Johannesburg,Gauteng, South AfricaRiccardo Bindi, MD, DDS, Florence, ItalyAdriano Bobbio, DDS, Torino, ItalyGregg D. Bobier, BA, DMD, Rochester, MIGiovanni Bona, DDS, Orassono, Turino, ItalyDalton Booyse, B-comm, BChD, Norwich, Norfolk,United KingdomAlex Boukas, DDS, Mattituck, NYWilliam K. Browning, BS, DMD, Plano, TX,Jeffrey J. Brus, DMD, Puyallup, WALarry M. Bursey, BSc, DDS, St. John’s, NF, CanadaDaniele Cardili, DDS, Milano, ItalyJames P. Cassidy, DDS, Cincinnati, OHRenato Celletti, DDS, MD, Roma, ItalyWan Leung Cheng, BDS, Hong Kong, ChinaWoo Sung Cho, Daegu, South KoreaWilliam G. Christensen, DDS, MS, Provo, UTGiancarlo Cortese, DMD, DDS, Torino, ItalyAlbert De Chiesa, DDS, Saluzzo Cuneo, ItalyRobert A. Del Castillo, DMD, Miami Lakes, FLMarco Del Corso, DDS, Torino, ItalyMunib Y. Derhalli, BS, DMD, MS, MBA,Vancouver, WAFrancis P. DiPlacido, DMD, Fort Myers, FLBar-Chen Doron, DMD, Tel-Aviv, IsraelAnders H. Eriksson, DMD, Lyckeby, SwedenSteven A. Faigan, BSc, DDS, CAGS, Kelowna,BC, CanadaPatrice P. Fan, DDS, MSD, Seattle, WAPeter Farzin, DDS, Bethesda, MDLeonard J. Feld, DDS, Maywood, CAGilda P. Ferguson, DDS, PhD, Ashland, VAMansuato Ferrari, DDS, Venezia, ItalyJohn S. Findley, DDS, Aubrey, TXJohn A. Fink, DDS, Encinitas, CABrian E. Fitzgerald, DMD, Bridgeport, CTLeonardus Franke, DDS, Novi Ligure,Alessandria, ItalyGimapaolo Ghirotto, DDS, Vigoda Rzere,Padova, ItalyPaolo Giuliani, DDS, Padova, ItalyBarry S. Goldenberg, DMD, MS, St. Louis, MOMike M. Golpa, DDS, Las Vegas, NVInus C. Goossens, BChD, MChD, Louth,Lincolnshire, United KingdomLionell N. Greenberg, DDS, Los Angeles, CAFrancois Guay, DMD, St-Augustin-De-Desmaures,QC, CanadaMario Guerra, DDS, Terni, ItalyGuillermo E. Guillen, DDS, Plano, TXHarish K. Gupta, BChD, LDS, Birmingham,W Midlands, United KingdomJames S. Gurley, DDS, Willoughby, OHDae-Woong Ha, Dae Gu, Dae Gu, South KoreaSeonho Ha, DDS, Los Angeles, CAKyngmin Han, Yang-San City, Kyungsang Namdo,South KoreaMario Hanckes Estefan, DDS, Santiago, ChileAndre C. Hattingh, B.Ch.D, M.Ch.D.(OMP), SouthGodstone, Surrey, United KingdomAndrew J. Hauser, DDS, New York, NYRobert R. Hawley, DDS, Abilene, TXYoung Chul Hoang, Kumi, South KoreaBarry L. Holden, DMD, State College, PADonald P. Holzhauer, DDS, MS, Waukesha, WIDae Kee Hong, DMD, Yecheon, South KoreaSeongBum Hong, DMD, MSD, Seoul, South KoreaMatthew L. Hopfensperger, DDS, MS, ChapelHill, NCGerald D. Horner, DDS, Medford, ORIsack Horowitz, DMD, MD, Tel Aviv, IsraelGiles B. Horrocks, DDS, MS, Boulder, COBehnia Hossein, DMD, Tehran, IranDale G. Howes, BDS, M.Dent, Johannesburg,Gauteng, South AfricaThomas M. Howieson, BS, DDS, CAGS,Wellesley, MAChihoon Hwang, PhD, Seoul, South KoreaSteven Imberman, DDS, Staten Island, NYHideto Inoue, DMD, Kitakyushu City,Fukuoka, JapanStephen L. Jacobs, BDS, Glasgow, ScotlandByeon Jae Guk, Busan, South KoreaDong-Gyun Jeon, DDS, MS, Koyang, Kyeng-GiDo, South KoreaOwe E. Johansson, DDS, Lyckeby, Blekinge, SwedenDavid C. Jones, DMD, Louisville, KYKi-Young Jung, DDS, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do,South KoreaBradford S. Jungels, DMD, Northfield, NJF. Kristopher Kalhs, BSc, DDS, Spruce Grove,AB, CanadaYun-Mo Kang, DDS, MS, Yesan Gun, ChoongNam, South KoreaHamid R. Kazemi, DMD, Bethesda, MDGregory V. Keating, DMD, Silver Spring, MDTimothy Keon Kim, DDS, MSD, PhD, Anaheim, CASu-Gwan Kim, PhD, GwangJu, South KoreaKang Ho Kim, DDS, MS, Seoul, South KoreaDavid T. Kim, DDS, Flushing, NYDong-Keun Kim, DDS, Incheon, Incheon,South KoreaWon Bum Kim, DDS, Seogwipo-city, Jeju-do,South KoreaChang-Mok Kim, DMD, PhD, Changwon,Kyngnam, South KoreaMeeae Kim, DDS, DMD, MS, San Diego, CAYung-Soo Kim, DDS, MSc, PhD, Seoul, South KoreaAlejandro S. Kleinman, DDS, Loma Linda, CAJerry Kohen, DMD, Holon, IsraelLouis J. Korpics, Jr., DDS, Mechanicsville, VAKierian B. Kuklok, MD, DDS, San Diego, CAJae-Sin Kwon, DDS, Seoul, South KoreaFrank LaMar, DDS, Rochester, NYJames R. LaMar, DMD, Pittsford, NYIra M. Langstein, DDS, Virginia Beach, VASeogran Lee, DDS, PhD, Youngin City, Kyunggi-Do,South KoreaJason J. Lee, DDS, Meadow Vista, CADennis H. Lee, DDS, New York, NYMason Y. Lee, DDS, MD, San Rafael, CATrejot S. Lehri, BDS, M.Ht, MBA, Mississauga,ON, CanadaH. Thomas Lenz, DDS, Vienna, VARonald J. Levine, DMD, Eugene, ORHarry Levy, DDS, MLA, Baltimore, MDMaurizio Ludovichetti, DDS, Vittorio Veneto, ItalyMark A. Lustman, DDS, Baltimore, MDRamin H. Mahallati, DDS, Los Angeles, CAShibly D. Malouf, DDS, Somerville, MAFabio Marcon, DDS, Bassano Del Grappe,Vincenza, ItalyFabio Marsiliani, DDS, Terni, ItalyRichard J. Martin, DDS, Lewisville, TXLouis P. Martin, DDS, MS, Wilmington, DEMark McCaffery, DMD, Madison, NJSean D. McCarthy, BDS, MS, Cork, IrelandBryan W. McLelland, DDS, BSc, Galesburg, ILStephen T. McLeod, DMD, Davie, FLFotios Melas, DDS, MS, Athens, GreeceMichael J. Meyer, BSc, BChD, Winchester,Hampshire, EnglandStefano Miani, MD, DDS, Udine, ItalyThomas R. Michaelis, DDS, MD, NewportBeach, CAJames A. Michaels, DDS, Oconomowoc, WIRobert J. Miller, DDS, FACD, DICOI, DABO,Delray Beach, FLLouis C. Miller, DDS, Coleyville, TXSteven B. Milstein, DMD, BS, Philadelphia, PATakashi Miyamoto, DDS, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, JapanSteve C. Monzingo, BSC, DDS, MSD, Calgary,Alberta, CanadaJose A. Morales, DMD, San Juan, PRTeresa A. Morgan, DDS, MS, Iowa City, IAJames H. Mulkey, Jr., DDS, Plano, TXBryan W. Murray, DDS, Lethbridge, AB, CanadaShinji Nagasaki, DDS, Tokyo, JapanJames B. Nelson, DDS, McMinnville, OREduardo Nicolaievsky, DDS, Mexico City,DF, MexicoImad Nouneh, DDS, MS, Rocky River, OHEdgar P. O’Neill, DDS, MSc, BS, Jacksonville, NCStephen L. Olitsky, DMD, Lansdale, PAPatrick T. Palacci, DDS, Marseilles, FranceAlan J. Paradis, DDS, Southlake, TXGiancarlo Parise, DDS, Pederiva Di Grancona,Vicenza, ItalyKenneth D. Parrish, DMD, PhD, Strongsville, OHMark L. Perecman, BS, DMD, Bryn Mawr, PAAnthony P. Perry, DMD, MD, Westfield, MAJeffrey E. Persico, DMD, Okemos, MIJohn H. Pitchford, DDS, Plano, TXFabrizio Polato, DDS, Fiesso D’Artico (VE), ItalyAnthony Poon, DMD, Hong Kong, S.A.R., ChinaRonald B. Quade, DDS, Poteau, OKStephen E. Reagan, DDS, MEd, Norman, OKCharles W. Rolph, DMD, MS, Lexington, KYTom A. Roozendaal, BEd, BSc, DMD, Duncan,BC, CanadaDavid B. Rosen, DMD, Lexington, MASol Rosenberg, DMD, BDS, Narberth, PAKevin P. Ryan, DDS, Naperville, ILSterling R. Schow, DMD, Dallas, TXDavid Schwartz, DDS, Forest Hills, NYDevorah Schwartz-Arad, DMD, PhD, RamatHasharon, IsraelSteven W. Seitchik, DMD, Bala Cynwyd, PAHamid R. Shafie, DDS, CAGS, Washington, DCMasih Shahlaie, BDS, MS, San Dimas, CAAneet K. Sharma, MD, DDS, Springdale, ARJohn T. Sheridan, DDS, St Louis, MOKimberly Silloway, DDS, Fairfax, VARichard J. Simons, BDS, FDS, RCS,London, EnglandMark W. Simpson, DDS, Charleston, WVLawrence D. Singer, DMD, Washington, DCJames H. Sinks, DDS, San Diego, CACraig A. Sirota, DMD, MMSc, New York, NYDaniel S. Smith, DDS, Puyallup, WACurtis D. Smith, DMD, Edmonds, WAGregory J. Smith, DMD, MHS, Charlotte, NCJay S. Smith, DDS, Atlanta, GAPaul V. Snisky, DDS, Rye Brook, NYByoung-Soo Soh, Iksan, Jeonbuk, South KoreaPatrick J. Soria, DDS, Painesville, OHRenee M. Stach, DDS, Palm Beach Gardens, FLWilliam H. Stalker, DDS, MS, San Antonio, TX12

William J Starck, DDS, Keller, TXSteven D. Sudbrink, DMD, Ephrata, PABonghyeun Suh, DDS, MS, Daegu, South KoreaPatricia L. Sukmonowski, BSc, DDS, New York, NYMichael R. Szabatura, DDS, FAGD, New York, NYJunichi Takahashi, DDS, Tokyo, JapanHitoshi Tamaki, DDS, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, JapanTsai-Hua Tan, DDS, Rowland Heights, CAAdam L.G. Tan, B.Sc.(H), DMD, Orilla, ON, CanadaNicolaas Terpstra, DDS, Genova Voltri, ItalyKenneth R. Tirone, DDS, Pittsford, NYTimothy E. Titus, BS, DDS, MS, Lakewood, COKevin Brian Todes, BDS, MDent, Sydney,NSW, AustraliaBruce R. Trefz, DDS, MS, MS, Gastonia, NCMarco Turco, DDS, Torino, ItalyDenise E. Turunen, DDS, MS, Irving, TXGiancarlo Valle, DDS, Missaglia Lecco, ItalyE. Olaf Veth, DDS, MS, Dallas, TXCostantino Vignato, DDS, Vicenza, ItalyRobert C. Vogel, DDS, Palm Beach Gardens, FLMarcia Clair Wadell, DDS, MS, Burlingame, CAMark Y. Wang, DMD, DMsc, Concord, MACharles R. Weber, DMD, Olympia, WAGregory W. Welsh, DDS, Green Bay, WIPerry Westbrook, DMD, MSD, Sunnyvale, CAAndrei Wolnitzky, DDS, Santiago, ChileJung Woo-in, Masan City, South KoreaRandy D. Wooton, DMD, Medford, ORRick K. Yamada, DDS, La Jolla, CAMyeong-Cheol Yang, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, South KoreaSang-Il Yang, Namwon, Jeonbuk, South KoreaHwan-ho Yeo, DDS, PhD, Seoul, South KoreaGoui Seong Yoon, DDS, Peong Taek, South KoreaSTUDENTCorey R. Acree, DDS, Modesto, CAJoon-Young Ahn, DDS, Seoul, South KoreaMajd Al Mardini, DDS, Rochester, NYManal I. Al-Bayat, BDS, Dallas, TXMohammed Saad Al-Garni, DDS, MSc,New York, NYSaad A. Al-Harbi, BDS, Dallas, TXMohammed A. Alajmi, DDS, Redlands, CASergio Aliota, DDS, Fort Lee, NJHadi M. Alsafar, DDS, Williamsville, NYPaul B. Anderson, DDS, MD, Los Angeles, CAElphida G. Ayvazian, DMD, Rego Park, NYSharon R. Bannister, DDS, Mongomery, ALMathieu Beaudoin, DMD, Toronto, ON, CanadaMichael L. Beckley, DDS, San Leandro, CAJacques Bessade, Paris, FranceGeorgios Bobetsis, DDS, Chapel Hill, NCIrene Bokser, DDS, Astoria, NYGabriel A. Boustany, DDS, Brookline, MALynna B.K. Bui, DDS, Pittsburgh, PARaul A. Cameras, DMD, Mexico City, DF, MexicoMatthew S. Canter, DMD, Philadelphia, PAByungHak Che, New York, NYLung-Cheng Chen, DDS, Loma Linda, CAPengjen K. Chen, DMD, Daly City, CAYoungsung Cho, DDS, New York, NYYong Jung Cho, Pohang-Si, Kyungbuk, South KoreaChongmahn Cho, DDS, MSD, PhD, Seoul,South KoreaJeong Hwan Cho, BS, Seoul, South KoreaJinho Choi, Incheon, South KoreaYeonjo Choi, DMD, Palisades Park, NJKyung-Uk Chung, DDS, PhD, New York, NYMarco Cueva, DDS, Dallas, TXDavid R. Davenport, DMD, MS, Douglasville, GASara De Santis, DDS, Coram, NYRobert P. DePoi, BDSc, MSD, FRACDS, Vidoria,AustraliaAmanda Echeverria, DDS, Houston, TXMichael D. Edwards, DDS, BA, Indianapolis, INTamer El-Gendy, BDS, MS, Columbus, OHDiana Fat, DDS, New Orleans, LARudolph S. Gamarnik, DDS, Seal Beach, CANikolaos G. Gavrilis, DDS, Pittsburgh, PAEdward B. Goldin, BS, DDS, New York, NYEdward Gottesman, DDS, Jericho, NYGeorge Gounakis, DMD, Plantation, FLGiuseppe Grasso, DDS, New York, NYHyun Ha, DDS, Arlington Heights, ILMan Tack Hahn, DDS, MS, New York, NYHyung Chul Han, DDS, Seoul, South KoreaDong-Suk Han, DMD, New York, NYLauren C. Hebel, DMD, San Francisco, CAFrederick Hegedus, DDS, Princeton, NJOlivier Henry-Savajol, DDS, MSBM, LomaLinda, CAJulie C. Horn, DDS, Dallas, TXJung-Tyng Hsu, DDS, New York, NYYi-Hao Huang, DDS, Philadelphia, PAJung Huh, PhD, Loma Linda, CANam Hoon Hur, DDS, Seoul, South KoreaGyu-Seon Hwang, DDS, Los Angeles, CATakashi Ishiki, DDS, Yonabaru-cho, Okinawa, JapanJim Janakievski, DDS, Seattle, WASang Wook Jee, DDS, Mountain View, CASeung Joon Jeon, DMD, Jersey City, NJYoung Shin Lee Jeon, DDS, Torrance, CAHudson S. Johnston, DMD, Louisville, KYJong Lae Jun, DDS, Los Angeles, CAMarie Madeleine Junes, Monigny Le Bx, FranceSung-Ill Jung, DDS, Ann Arbor, MIJung-Hwan Kiel, Seoul, South KoreaDae Yeon Kim, DDS, Chicago, ILKwang Seob Kim, DDS, Loma Linda, CAYeon Soo Kim, DDS, Arlington Heights, ILHo-Jin Kim, DDS, Yang Pyong-Gun, Kyonggi-Do,South KoreaByung-Soo Kim, DDS, Tenafly, NJYoungwook Kim, DDS, Seoul, South KoreaHee-Ju Kim, DMD, Los Angeles, CAYounghee Kim, Seoul, South KoreaYoung-Bin Kim, DDS, Loma Linda, CAKaayeong Kim, DDS, Seoul, South KoreaYoon-Jeong Kim, DDS, MS, Loma Linda, CASeong Yong Kim, DDS, Seoul, South KoreaSe Wook Koh, DDS, Seoul, South KoreaAndy Ki-tae Koo, DDS, Jenkintown, PAKuong C. Kov, DDS, St. Anthony, MNDaniel N. Kubikian, DMD, Wynnewood, PAWen-Cheng Kuo, DDS, Chestnut Hill, MAHo Jung Kwak, DDS, New York, NYTaeck Jung Kwon, DDS, Chicago, ILDaniel S. Lauer, BS, DMD, New York, NYKhang T. Le, DDS, Lemon Grove, CAWoojung Lee, DDS, Chicago, ILJin Hwan Lee, DDS, Tenafly, NJHyo Il Lee, DDS, Los Angeles, CAJeonghoon Lee, DDS, Fullerton, CAHyun Il Lee, DDS, Los Angeles, CAKyoung Won Lee, DDS, Daegu, South KoreaJae-Hoon Lee, DDS, New York, NYChing-Shih Liao, DDS, Rego Park, NYGlen J. Liddelow, BDSc, FRACDS, West Perth,AustraliaTatiana T. Luebke, BDS, Sao Paulo, BrazilJohn A. Lupovici, DDS, New York, NYAnthony J. Marciante, DDS, San Diego, CAEduardo F. Martinho, DDS, Sao Paulo,Sao Paulo, BrazilTatsuaki Matsunaga, DDS, PhD, Long IslandCity, NYBrendan Tomas McLaughlin, MA, DDS, SouthBoston, MAKalpesh Mehta, DMD, Boston, MADavid H. Moed, DDS, BA, Bayside, NYAndrew R. Moffitt, BA, DDS, Dallas, TXJe-Woon Moon, DDS, San Diego, CARudolf Morgan, DMD, MSD, New York, NYEthan D. Moulton, BA, DDS, Oklahoma City, OKVicente Muratore, DDS, MSc, Sao Paulo,Sao Paulo, BrazilBharathi Devi Myneni, BDS, Beaverton, ORSung Heum Nam, Incheon, KoreaNicholas A. Narducci, BS, DMD, Jacksonville, FLClarisse Ng, BDSc, Dallas, TXChauLong Thi Nguyen, DDS, San Francisco, CAHiejong Noh, DDS, Claremont, CASergio F. Paluk, DDS, Houston, TXEkaterini Pantouli, DDS, Lincoln, NEAnna Paritsky, DMD, Modiin, IsraelDoYang Park, DMD, Lake Oswego, ORJae Hong Park, DDS, Seoul, South KoreaJongpill Park, DDS, MS, Kungsangbukdo,South KoreaChul Su Park, DDS, Seoul, South KoreaGadia K. Peabody, DDS, Benton Harbor, MINuno F. Pereira, DDS, New York, NYShlomo E. Pessin, DDS, Baltimore, MDCatherene L. Pham, BSc(Hons I), BDSc, Dallas, TXGiuseppe Polimeni, DDS, Philadelphia, PAAristidis Pontikas, DMD, Dallas, TXAdriana Ramirez, DDS, Columbus, OHElisandra Reyes Perez, DMD, San Juan, PRAlejandro Rodriguez Del Rey, DDS, MexicoCity, MexicoMatthew S. Rudolph, DMD, Gainesville, FLEric Todd Scheyer, DDS, MS, Houston, TXJulian Sela, DMD, MSc, Tel-Aviv, IsraelSultan Sherzoy, DDS, Bogota, NJOthman Shibly, DDS, Buffalo, NYHyoung Goun Shin, DDS, New York, NYMargarita Y. Shmerelzon, DDS, Pittsburgh, PAOender Solakoglu, Dr.med.dent. / MCD, ChapelHill, NCSukhwan Son, DDS, Ann Arbor, MIIoannis Soultanis, DDS, Lincoln, NEDouglas L. Squire, DDS, Glen Allen, VAAbraham Stern, DDS, Mexico City, DF, MexicoStephen L. Strout, BS, DMD, Gainesville, FLDean P. Suanico, DDS, Chula Vista, CAGerard Tabourian, Jr., DMD, BSc, New York, NYAlexandre Tache, DDS, Toronto, ON, CanadaNirit Tagger-Green, DMD, MSc, MHA,Tel Aviv, IsraelAmmar Taimish, DDS, Syracuse, NYRafael Tames, DDS, Mexico, DF, MexicoR. John Tannyhill, III, DDS, MD, Boston, MAOmid Termechi, DDS, Cedarhurst, NYLev Tomashevsky, DDS, Manhasset, NYYsidora Torrealba, DMD, San Juan, PRAndrew L. Trimboli, DDS, MAGD,Poughkeepsie, NYDemetrios Tsiokos, DDS, Franklin Square, NYVirgil O. Vacarean, DMD, Augusta, GAGregory S. Vance, BS, DMD, Louisville, KYEduardo Vargas, DDS, MS, Bowie, MDSophocles S. Voyiazis, DDS, Dallas, TXAlexander I. Wang, DMD, Davie, FLDuane R. Weenig, DDS, Grand Junction, COHolland B. Wright, II, DMD, Lexington, KYIoanna Xynogala, DDS, Philadelphia, PAHee-Sang Yang, DMD, New York, NYGary KaFai Yip, BDS, Indianapolis, INHongsik Yoon, DDS, New York, NYSung-Wook Yoon, DDS MS, New York, NYAFFILIATEGail N. Broderick, Valley Stream, NYSusan E. Derryberry, RDH, Palm Beach Gardens, FLLowell R. Duncan, CDT, Wichita, KSTheodore R. Hout, BA, Palm Beach Gardens, FLLars A. Janson, Palm Beach Gardens, FLDavid A. Kochberg, RDT, Thornhill, ON, CanadaKenneth J. Lande, Clackamas, ORTheodore M. Powell, West Palm Beach, FLJames G. Sheridan, BA, MBA, Gothenburg, SwedenKyu Cheol Shin, Seoul, South Korea13

AO launches Mentoring ProgramBy Dr. Ajay B. Setya, Chair, Mentoring ProgramAs a young dentist building a practice,I was very fortunate to meet Dr. MelSchwarz (Torrance, CA). At the time,we were not doing more than a fewimplants a year in our practice.Dr. Schwarz became my mentor. Heinvited me and my staff to visit hisoffice, and we developed a symbioticrelationship. Now some five years laterand an active member of the Academy,I would like to help establish a formalprogram to accomplish what Dr. Schwarzdid for me on an informal basis.Active AO members for at least threeyears who have been practicing implantdentistry for five years are invited to volunteeras mentors. The mentor’s role isto give general advice and encouragementto inexperienced members whoselect them. They volunteer to supportmentorees as they transition from graduationto clinical practice or from generalor specialty practice to implant dentistry.Mentors may help in any of several areasof clinical expertise (treatment planning,surgical aspects, prosthetic aspects), practicemanagement, or with other clinicalor practice issues.The mentorship program will be anopportunity for professional growth, anaid to better patient care, and a potentiallysignificant AO recruitment andretention tool.Here is how it will work:• Members who meet the requirementsmay volunteer as mentors by geographicarea and/or for a specific categoyof expertise. Volunteers list theirareas of expertise and indicate theirpreferred method of communication:letter, telephone, fax, or e-mail.• The list of mentors will be publishedin the AO membership directory andposted on the Academy’s Website.• Members with questions or a desireto discuss some aspect of implantdentistry with an experiencedmember consultant need only write,phone, fax, or send an e-mail.AO’s Mentoring Program is patternedafter similar mentorship programs nowin place within some other dental specialties.It provides an opportunity formembers to exchange information on aone-on-one basis and thereby elevatethe standards of osseointegration. Weencourage experienced members tobecome mentors. By doing so, you willdo a great deal to help those with lessexperience, and you will be doing yourpart in maintaining the highest standardsof implant dentistry.The Mentoring Program is still in itsformative stages. We will provide additionalinformation as its startup datedraws closer. Meanwhile, members withan interest in participating in the programor asking questions about it, pleasecontact me (gr8gums@aol.com) or theAO executive office.14