Introduction

INTRODUCTION

Today’s miracle medicine scenario of genetic engineering and regenerative

medicine is a timely reminder of dentistry’s relatively small yet indispensable role in

advancing health care. Dentistry is evolving much fast with newer technology,

making impossible things look easy. Conventional methods of replacing lost hard and

soft tissue mainly include complete dentures, removable partial dentures, fixed partial

dentures, obturators etc. These methods although widely popular do not totally

eliminate the artificial look that shows up following replacement by any prosthesis.

Over a period of time with advancement of technology, man has tried to replicate

artificially what has been lost, so that it appears as natural as possible. The advent of

implants has enabled him to stride closer to this goal1. An outstanding result achieved

by use of such implants during attempts to replace such removable or fixed prostheses

has changed the smiles of millions of people all over the world.

The pioneering work of Branemark ushered in a new era in Dentistry i.e. “The

Era of Implant Dentistry2”. Branemark and his colleagues created a new field from a

serendipitous research, thus exemplifying Pasteur’s dictum “Chance Favours the

Prepared Mind”. Branemark’s determined research in Osseointegration enabled the

surgically related and Prosthodontic disciplines an exciting scope in the new world of

Dentistry and gave it a global stand. Through further research, these investigators

transformed the field of implantology from an unpredictable art to a well grounded

clinical science. This research provided the scientific basis for a set of strict clinical

protocols2.

Treatment with dental implants has evolved from earlier much old procedures

to a mainstream clinical activity; however its potential benefits and high success rates

have led to procedures sometimes being incorrectly used with unfortunate outcomes.

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 Introduction

A wide range of components are now available from many different

manufacturers and the technique is developing its own terminology, which is a

mixture of traditional dental terminology, new terms and manufacturers’ catalogue

descriptions

The prescription of dental implants has gradually eclipsed traditional

techniques of pre prosthetic surgery and offered predictable and optimal treatment

outcome alternatives to routine fixed and removable prosthesis.

It is hoped that this Library Dissertation will provide some navigational aid to

the dentist during his clinical endeavors with Implants. An attempt has been made to

compile all possible topics so as to help a routine clinician place Implants with sound

theoretical knowledge as well as valuable practical guidelines.Sir William Osler, who

always warned his colleagues that “ To study the phenomenon of disease without

books is to sail an unexplored sea, while to study books without patients is not to go

to the Sea at all ”. This dissertation aims to not only to teach one how to sail the

unexplored sea, but also to navigate towards a definite and successful goal.

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