Dental implant education is a critical component of patient care. Many leaders are seeking to have implant dentistry recognized as a stand-alone specialty or subspecialty.

Several studies have shown that new graduates, owing to a lack of experience with surgical complications or demands, do not interpret surgical results in the same manner as more experienced dentists. Consequently, it is important that dental students receive adequate instruction at the undergraduate level.

Surgical Implant Placement

Implants replace missing teeth and help maintain the shape of your face. Your dentist will evaluate your oral health, including your jaw bone structure, before recommending this treatment option. Your dentist may also recommend other treatments, such as dentures or a bridge.

A dental implant courses is an artificial tooth root that can be used to support a single replacement tooth or a full set of removable teeth. Implants are stable and durable, and they look and feel like natural teeth.

Survey participants overwhelmingly agreed that basic implant restorations should be included in the undergraduate curriculum, as should dental implant planning and implantation for straightforward restorative cases. The more experienced the respondents were, the less they supported augmentation and bone grafting techniques and the more they opposed implant placement performed by novices.

Immediate Implant Placement

When indicated, immediate implant placement and loading reduces treatment time and allows the patient to enjoy a healthy smile. However, the immediate placement and load protocol requires a well-studied implant system with high primary stability.

A survey of novices, educators, and dentists in private practice indicated that undergraduate dental curricula should include systematic teaching of basic implant knowledge and clinical skills. In addition, the implant planning method preferred by the novices and educators was CBCT-based implant courses  planning with the use of a digitally fabricated drilling template.

Our comprehensive, hands-on educational program teaches a prosthetically driven approach to implant dentistry, offering a series of courses that build on each other to progress from beginner through mastery levels. This weekly, lecture-based course series provides participants with consistent implant education in a structured format that maximizes learning outcomes. This repetitive “tell, show, do” approach allows the participant to apply instruction in their own practice and bring it back to their patients.

Sedation Implant Placement

Implant surgery can be very uncomfortable if performed without the use of sedation. If you have a fear of the dentist, have a medical condition or are physically or mentally challenged, then sedation is an excellent option for your dental procedure. The sedation you receive will put you into a state of unconsciousness, but you will still be conscious enough to respond to the doctor’s verbal communication and instructions.

Educators and dentists agreed that undergraduate dental curricula should include a basic introduction to and knowledge foundation in implant dentistry. The most preferred implantation method was implant insertion using a digitally fabricated drilling template after surgical flap elevation.

The success of your dental implants depends on a commitment to good oral hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing and follow up appointments with the doctor. Patients should also avoid teeth clenching, as this can weaken the implants and lead to failure. The doctor may also need to perform a bone graft, in which he transplants actual or artificial bone into the area where your new implant will go.

Risk Assessment

It is crucial for dental professionals to be able to recognise and manage early signs of peri-implant mucositis. This can be achieved through regular implant examination, with a comprehensive checklist of symptomology and monitoring of the implant site, including CBCT imaging. This should also include reporting to MedWatch, the FDA safety information and adverse event report system.

Surgical skill and clinical experience are essential components of successful implant treatment, but there are a number of situations that can direct an initially straightforward implant treatment plan into one that is not ideal for the patient. The assessment of risk factors is a key step in this process.

It is therefore important for implant education to focus on the development of skills that enable a practitioner to identify these conditions and make appropriate referrals. In addition, a practitioner should be aware of the impact of smoking and other lifestyle factors on the outcome of implant treatment. This includes identifying and referring patients at risk of poor peri-implant mucositis and bone loss.