Current trends in implantology: part II--treatment planning, aesthetic considerations, and tissue regeneration.

Unlabelled: In implant dentistry, bone loss is attributed to numerous factors that often include infection or trauma. Various surgical techniques and implant components have been developed to enable more effective management of such deficiencies. While the first installment of this article discussed the role of biological response and implant stability in implant therapy, this portion focuses on decision-making factors related to the number of implants, grafting materials, and achieving aesthetics with implant restorations.

Current trends in implantology: Part 1--Biological response, implant stability, and implant design.

In implant dentistry, the loss of bone is generally caused by infection or trauma but can also be attributed to other involved factors. Innovative surgical techniques and implant components have been developed in an effort to overcome the challenges (eg, bone topography and density, primary and secondary stability, aesthetics) traditionally associated with implant-supported restorations.

Localized sinus elevation and osteocompression with single-stage tapered dental implants: technical note.

In the atrophic posterior maxilla, placement of longer (at least 10 mm) and wider diameter implants may significantly improve long-term results, but sinus grafting is often necessary to provide sufficient bone volume for implant support. The crestal approach to sinus augmentation requires penetration of the sinus floor with surgical instruments that are often difficult to control; there is a high risk of damaging the schneiderian membrane. Fabricating a round cutting rim at the apical end of a single-stage tapered implant can provide a controlled method of gently penetrating the sinus floor prior to grafting and placement of the definitive implant.