Jump Start Your Practice With Implants

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Jump Start Your Practice with Implants
COLUMBUS, OHIO - As the Baby Boomers age, dentistry should be expecting a groundswell of patients who may be in need of implant dentistry, and this generation of patients will not tolerate subpar results, according to David A. Little, DDS, one of the speakers at the Updates in Contemporary Dentistry Meeting. Dr. Little, who is an adjunct clinical professor at the University of Texas, San Antonio, and who has a private practice in San Antonio, said that approaching dentistry as a team, involving the surgeons, technicians, as well as the patient and dentist is the key to successful implant dentistry. “You have to take a team approach for successful implant dentistry,” Dr. Little said. “You have to train your team well. You never want to overpromise and underdeliver.” Dr. Little said the emotional effects of tooth loss can include bereavement, lowered self-confidence, altered self-image, altered behavior in forming close relationships, and premature aging. All of these negative effects has led to patients seeking help for tooth loss. Predicting a great result, according to Dr. Little, requires that a dentist treat each case 4 times, “in our minds, in wax, in acrylic, and in porcelain.” Typically, problems in restoring implants involve 2 issues—the wrong location and poor angulation. To prevent these issues, Dr. Little said to start with a solid clinical examination that looks at the periodontal health, the condition of the soft tissue, the dentition, the contour of the bone, and vital structures. He said knowing the “numbers of implant dentistry” will help predict success: • 2 mm is needed between the natural tooth and implant • 3 mm is needed between 2 implants • 7 mm is needed for the vertical height from the implant body to the site of occlusion • 5 mm is the ideal height from crest of bone to bottom of contact point Radiography Results Dr. Little said that the future of dentistry is 3D technology, which helps the surgeon prepare for the implant placement. He uses Materialse’s Simplant 3D software, which enables him to diagnose, plan treatment, document, and present cases. This 3D allows visualization and analysis of craniofacial anatomy from data produced by cone beam computed tomography. Treatment Options When discussing treatment options, Dr. Little said it is important to review all the benefits and negatives of each option. With dentures, the benefits are that they are

the least costly approach and they are quickly applied. On the negative side, dentures contribute to further bone loss, nerve exposure may lead to pain, and may lead to an older appearance with wrinkles. Also, he said, dentures do limit what patients can eat. “I ask the patient, ‘Would you rather eat what you want or eat what you can’,” Dr. Little told the audience. Discussing the Anyklos Syncone implant restorations, Dr. Little said it is an implant retained, implant supported overdenture that can be immediately loaded. The goals of this system include immediate treatment, decreased total treatment time, simplified technical procedures, and decreased cost. The biggest advantages using the Anyklos system, explained Dr. Little, are that it provides the clinician with a wide range of options when selecting patient-specific, custom restorations. He said all Ankylos implants and standard abutments are fully interchangeable with the matching sulcus formers and transfer caps. Enthusiastic for Dentistry Summarizing his presentation, Dr. Little encouraged the audience to get excited about the new options and innovations in dentistry. “You have to get excited about these things because if you aren’t, how are your patients or your staff going to be?” —Colleen Platt

from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School. Since that time, he has devoted a significant amount of time to refining his craft through continuing dental education. In 1998, he began sharing his extensive experience and passion for advanced dental techniques with his professional colleagues. He has educated thousands of dentists around the world on advanced dental procedures and techniques through dental education workshops and clinical seminars. Dr. Little reports he has lectured for Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Orascoptic, Heraeus Kulzer, Kerr, 3M ESPE and Deka.

David A. Little, DDS graduated in 1984

Dental Learning

www.dentallearning.net

Photo credit: Picture America

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