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Implants
The first implant treatments with modern, still recognized implant
systems were carried out in Austria in 1983 in co-operation between this practice and the
Dental School of the University of Vienna.
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Since
that time, there has been an intense exchange of information
and a close co-operation regarding endosseous maxillary
and mandibular implants (i.e. implants anchored in bone)
between this practice the Academy for Oral Implantology
and the Dental School of the University of Vienna as well
as several European and American clinics.
Various clinical and experimental studies have since been
carried out in this field by me and my team, have been dealt
with in a variety of textbook chapters
and books published in Austria, Europe and the USA and
have been translated into numerous languages i.g. Korean.
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Need for and Type of Implant Treatment
Generally, the restoration of any kind of tooth gap or edentulism
as well as corrections of facial defects with implants are offered.
The implants used are screw-shaped, more seldom cylindrical,
and have different lengths and diameters.
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The individual quantity and quality of the bone available
as host site for implants which are assessed by means of the previously mentioned
diagnostic procedures determine the type, shape and size of the implants. If necessary,
the position and the inclination of the implants are determined by means of
three-dimensional image analyses, models and model operations. Only if a patient presents
with certain general disorders must the treating physician be contacted before surgical
treatment, otherwise practically any patient can undergo implant treatment.
However, the surgical procedure required may vary considerably
and may range from a simple operation, comparable to a more
complex tooth removal, to intricate bone grafting procedures.
Implant surgery is either performed under local anaesthesia
or under general anaesthesia and can thus be carried out
either on an outpatient or an inpatient basis. The admission
period practically never exceeds one or two days, even in
the most complex cases.
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Occasionally, preprosthetic surgery may be required
In case of a bone deficit, the maxilla or mandible is augmented by means
of artificial bone, the membrane technique, bone grafting from another oral region or, in
extreme cases, by means of bone grafts from the iliac crest, depending on local
conditions.
After the implant has been placed...
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A phase of functional
healing of 1 to 4 months is required after any implant
placement. In the edentulous mandible, immediate prosthetic
treatment can be performed in the first week after implant
placement. However, in principle, patients are provided
with interim dentures, except for certain severe cases
during the first week after the operation.
The teeth are either fabricated by the referring dentist or, if this is
not possible, by an experienced prosthodontist or the team at the practice or at the
clinic. Recall examinations must be carried out annually. |
Results & Prognosis
Prognoses and treatment results have been analysed
statistically in co-operation with the Dental School of the University of Vienna and have
been published in the USA, in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.
Treatment results depend on patient compliance and on
the location of the implant.
It should be mentioned that, to the best of our knowledge, not a single failure in the
treatment of edentulous mandibles with screw-shaped implants and fixed partial dentures
has been observed in the entire patient collective treated at this practice in
co-operation with the Dental School.
Although the success rate is lower in other maxillary and mandibular regions, this
type of treatment can still be considered excellent compared with other treatment
concepts.
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