The current status of prosthodontic specialists in Japan--the Japan Prosthodontic Society has played an important role in certification of prosthodontic specialists.

A board certification system for prosthodontic specialists was established in 2005 by the Japan Prosthodontic Society (JPS), significantly later than the system established by the American Board of Prosthodontics in 1947. The purpose of this study is to outline the certification system for prosthodontic specialists in Japan and discuss and evaluate its current status. In 2012, the number of board certified prosthodontic specialists was 1150 and that of mentorial specialists was 693.

Use of titanium mesh in implant site development for restorative-driven implant placement: case report. Part 2: surgical protocol for single-tooth esthetic zone sites.

There are many techniques in the dental implant literature to augment bone for implant site development. The use of rigid titanium mesh was first described by Boyne in the mid-1980s to maintain regenerative space and to aid in unimpeded bone healing. Ti-mesh was used in this case report to demonstrate the predictability of this technique in creating bone augmentation in both a lateral and vertical direction prior to the placement of a single implant in site No.

Are predoctoral students able to provide single tooth implant restorations in the maxillary esthetic zone?

The objective of this study was to assess the ability of the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry (UIC-COD) predoctoral students to provide single tooth implant (STI) prostheses in the maxillary esthetic zone. The patient's esthetic satisfaction and the correlation between prosthodontists' and patients' perspectives were examined. Twenty-seven patients were recruited for recall examinations at the UIC-COD predoctoral implant program and underwent clinical and radiographic examination with clinical photographs of the implant sites.

Use of titanium mesh in implant site development for restorative-driven implant placement: case report. Part 1--Restorative protocol for single-tooth esthetic zone sites.

Predictably augmenting alveolar bone is a significant challenge in implant site development. A restorative-driven approach to implant placement aids in achieving esthetic harmony in the final restoration. This case report demonstrates techniques for treating patients with significant bony defects using a titanium mesh scaffold along with prosthetic steps in molding and conditioning soft tissues with the provisional restoration and the fabrication of a custom impression coping.

Caries management by risk assessment care paths for prosthodontic patients: oral microbial control and management.

The development of an oral care path focuses on the identification of the early indicators of disease. Once the risks have been identified and diagnosed, the proper therapies can be selected and prescribed. The experienced practitioner must meld clinical experience and observation with evidence-based scientific dentistry and information on the treatment and prevention of continued disease for the prosthodontic patient after restorations have been completed.

CAD/CAM complete dentures: a review of two commercial fabrication systems.

The use of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) has become available for complete dentures through the AvaDent and Dentca systems. AvaDent uses laser scanning and computer technology. Teeth are arranged and bases formed using proprietary software.

Fixed prosthodontics: time to change the status quo?

The majority of indirect restorations placed in the United States are currently made by conventional procedures in 2 or more appointments, including standard impressions using VPS or polyether, use of dental laboratory technicians to make the restorations, and conventional cementation procedures. The likelihood of rapid change to digital impressions and/or in-office milling is not predicted. However, some dentists have changed to making digital impressions and sending the information to specific dental laboratories to have the crowns fabricated.

Prevalence of sinus augmentation associated with maxillary posterior implants.

Pneumatization of the maxillary sinus limits the quantity of alveolar bone available for implant placement and may result in a lack of primary stability and difficulty in achieving osseointegration. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze a group of patients who had implants placed in the posterior maxilla, calculate the prevalence of sinus augmentation, and identify factors related to sinus augmentation. With institutional review board approval, dental records from a population of patients who had implants placed in the maxillary posterior region between January 2000 and December 2004 were used to create a database.

Retrospective cohort study of the predictors of implant failure in the posterior maxilla.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze a cohort of patients who had implants placed in the posterior maxilla and assess and identify the predictors of implant failure.

Materials And Methods: With institutional review board approval, dental records from a population of patients who had maxillary posterior implants placed were used to create a database. Independent variables were divided into continuous (age of the patient at stage-one implant surgery [S1], time between extraction and S1, time between extraction and sinus augmentation, time between sinus augmentation and S1, time between S1 and stage-two implant surgery [S2], and the time between S2 and restoration of the implant) and categorical (gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] status, current smoking status, implant position, implant proximity, residual crestal bone height, implant length and diameter, and sinus augmentation technique and materials).

Regenerative strategies for anterior esthetic rehabilitation: a clinical and histologic case report.

In order to solve the substantial challenge of achieving natural esthetics in compromised situations, a number of techniques and materials have been developed to restore deficient alveolar bone and maintain existing bone and soft tissue. This article reviews developments in both areas and reports on a clinical treatment in which a new form of xenograft in conjunction with a cross-linked, cell-occlusive membrane was used in a severely compromised anterior maxilla in preparation for placement of platform-switched implants.

Treatment planning implant dentistry: an overview for the general dentist.

Successful implant surgery and prosthetics involve a multi-step treatment planning sequence. This article outlines five steps designed to help clinicians create a comprehensive treatment plan for implants that combines the surgical and prosthetic aspects of an implant case.

Improving caries diagnosis and early intervention in the primary and young permanent dentition.

Contemporary dental care incorporates individually tailored preventive protocols based on caries risk assessment and minimally invasive tooth preparation for restoration. Methods that allow for the earliest possible detection of caries provide clinicians with the options of preventive intervention or caries excavation during initial enamel or dentinal penetration. Adding laser fluorescence to the traditional caries diagnostic armamentarium enhances diagnostic accuracy and the clinician's ability to confidently select the appropriate modality for intervention in the primary and young permanent dentition.

2008 Survey of Pro Bono Services Provided by Practicing Prosthodontists.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to analyze data from the results of the 2008 Survey of Pro Bono Services Provided by Practicing Prosthodontists. Survey results are used to examine characteristics and to compare the charitable care rendered by practicing prosthodontists to the dental field at large.

Materials And Methods: The character and incidence of pro bono services (PBS) provided by prosthodontists are based on a 2008 survey, made possible through an American College of Prosthodontists Board of Directors' sponsored initiative.

Advanced education in prosthodontics: residents' perspectives on their current training and future goals.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to identify current prosthodontic residents' demographics and to document prosthodontic residents' perspectives on their clinical training and future goals.

Materials And Methods: A 52-item survey was created and distributed to prosthodontic residents in the United States on February 8, 2007. The data collected were analyzed; the means and standard deviations were calculated and ranked.

Differential factors that influence applicant selection of a prosthodontic residency program.

Purpose: The main objectives of this study were to identify current prosthodontic resident demographics and to analyze factors that may influence applicants in selecting prosthodontics as a career, as well as a specific prosthodontic program. We also investigated the influence of age, gender, relationship status, and year in program on applicant decisions.

Materials And Methods: Two questionnaires were mailed to all prosthodontic residents (N = 304) registered with the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) Central Office.

Sinus bone augmentation: a review of the common techniques.

This article describes the biology and techniques of the sinus augmentation procedure. Most of the commonly used augmentation procedures aimed at restoring the atrophic posterior maxilla are presented through a series of clinical cases. This article also discuses the drawbacks and complications associated with sinus bone grafts along with pertinent literature supporting their validity and long-term success.