Does Peri-Implant Mucosa Have a Prognostic Value?

The need for keratinized tissue around implants remains a controversial topic. However, reconstruction of keratinized mucosa may be needed to facilitate restorative procedures, improve aesthetics, and control plaque during oral hygiene. Free gingival grafts, connective tissue grafts, allogenic/xenograft materials, and apically positioned flaps have been used to augment soft tissue around implants.

Is Peri-Implantitis Curable?

Peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis are clinically associated with inflammation of soft tissue around implants; however, peri-implantitis is associated with radiographic bone loss. Recently a new classification scheme-peri-implant health, peri-implant mucositis, peri-implantitis, and peri-implant soft-tissue and hard-tissue deficiencies-was introduced. Although various clinical interventions to treat peri-implant diseases have been suggested, early diagnosis and treatment is the key to successful outcomes.

What is the Best Available Luting Agent for Implant Prosthesis?

Cement-retention is a viable option in restoring dental implants. A wide range of dental cements with different properties are commercially available for use in the cementation of implant prostheses. The selection of a dental cement for proper clinical application can be challenging.

Are There Alternatives to Invasive Site Development for Dental Implants? Part II.

Despite improvements in bone preservation following tooth extraction, edentulous sites are often deficient in bone volume for conventional dental implant therapy. Missing bone volume is often recaptured by surgery and grafting. This article discusses noninvasive alternatives to bone grafting.

Are There Alternatives to Invasive Site Development for Dental Implants? Part I.

Edentulous sites are often characterized by inadequate bone volume for dental implant therapy. Bone augmentation procedures for site development involve longer healing period and are often invasive, costly, and associated with postoperative morbidity. This article discusses alternatives to invasive bone grafting procedures that are often used to develop implant sites.

Can Osseointegration Be Achieved Without Primary Stability?

The osseointegration and survival of dental implants are linked to primary stability. Good primary stability relies on the mechanical friction between implant surface and surrounding bone with absence of mobility in the osteotomy site immediately after implant placement. Several factors have been found to affect implant primary stability, including bone density, implant design, and surgical technique.

Is Digital Guided Implant Surgery Accurate and Reliable?

The digital workflow for computer-aided implant surgery includes a range of steps leading to generation of a prosthetically driven, 3-dimensional virtual plan, which is transitioned into the patient's mouth by the surgical guide and protocol. Guided implant surgery is believed to be accurate and reliable compared with free-handed implant surgery. However, deviation between implant virtual plan and implant real position may occur as a result of accumulated errors throughout the digital workflow.