Course Content

Original protocols for placing and restoring dental implants included a strictly staged approach as the standard modus operandi. Over the years, a myriad of implant designs and protocol developments has been introduced aiming at simplification without jeopardizing treatment outcomes. In particular, a main focus is on reduction of the number of interventions, the invasiveness of the surgery, the duration of the treatment, and improved tissue stability and aesthetics. Hence, the future is moving toward a differentiation strategy of “when” and “how” to favour modified clinical protocols, and when to follow more traditional staged treatment sequences.

Objectives

1. To understand the pros and cons of a shortened clinical approach to implant placement & restoration.
2. To grasp when the traditional staged approach is more appropriate due to increased predictability of an esthetic outcome.
3. To see when, where and how a shortened protocol can be used to best advantage.

Outline

I.    History of implant loading protocols

II.   Clinical examples

III.  Factors in decision making

References

None available at this time.