Advances in Dental Research, Vol 13, 147-152, Copyright © 1999 by International & American Associations for Dental Research
Clinical experiences with dental implants
P. J. Henry
Branemark Center, 64 Havelock Street, West Perth, WA 6005, Australia.
The clinical utilization of dental implants has accelerated in recent
years, and new applications continue to emerge. Concomitantly, alternative
implant systems have introduced conceptually different approaches to
treatment using altered protocols. The purpose of this paper is to address
some of the background issues pertinent to the long-term success, survival,
safety, and effectiveness of these devices. The requirements for clinical
acceptance of implants are controlled initially by regulatory bodies;
however, the dentist eventually must make a decision on which type of
implant should be used in clinical practice. This clinical decision-making
process should involve the strategy of using an evidence-based approach to
ensure quality of care and reduction of liability for negligent care. This
is particularly the case when treatment is undertaken in identified
high-risk categories. While short- to medium-term data have been
accumulated on the success rates of several implant systems, it is apparent
that long-term data comparing and contrasting the various advantages and
disadvantages of different systems do not exist, and adequate criteria
applicable to the collective clinical experience need to be defined.
Expanding areas of application are dependent on continuous improvements in
implant hardware, surgical protocol development, and rationalized
osteopromotive and site installation augmentation technology. Many
treatment endeavors are still largely at the pilot study level of
development, and long-term prospective clinical trials on large numbers of
patients are required to document results adequately and to elucidate the
most likely productive areas for future investigation.
