Implant dentistry – development and current focus

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Merz, Beat R.^{a; *} | Sutter, Franz^a | Lang, Niklaus^b

Affiliations: [a] Institut Straumann, CH-4437 Waldenburg, Switzerland | [b] University of Berne, School of Dental Medicine, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Beat R. Merz, Institut Straumann, CH-4437 Waldenburg, Tel.: +41 61 965 11 11; Fax: +41 61 965 11 06.

Abstract: Today, implant dentistry plays an important role in the maintenance of chewing function and oral health. For thirty years now oral implants and methods for implantation have been developed further to assure a lifetime stability of these devices and to optimize function and esthetics. Starting with the treatment of fully edentulous patients, oral implants are now used for the reconstruction of partially edentulous patients as well. Thereby, implants not only replace missing teeth but also help to preserve intact remaining teeth. They are usually incorporated to improve the patient’s subjective chewing comfort. The present paper gives an overview of the development and the current state of the art of oral implants, as well as their clinical indications.

Keywords: Dental implants, ITI system, non-submerged implants

DOI: 10.3233/THC-1997-5302

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 191-197, 1997