How to know if you’re ready for implants

Still not sure if implants are right for your practice? Here are some key questions to consider:

1. Has your interest in dentistry diminished?

2. Are you looking to learn and take on new challenges, including surgery and anesthesia administration?

3. Do you have patients who have one or more missing teeth? Do they have difficulty chewing or speaking? Are they hesitant to smile?

4. Do you have patients who are asking you about implants?

5. Do you want to offer a longterm, predictable solution for missing teeth to your patients?

6. Do you want to take responsibility for patients’ entire treatment plan, surgery, restoration and outcome?

7. Are you willing to invest in comprehensive, unbiased implant education?

8. Do you have the capital to support an investment in new equipment, inventory and staff training?

9. Do you have someone who could be a mentor to you as you develop your skills?

10. Do you want to provide a wonderful and useful service to your patients?

If your answers are mostly yes, it may be time to make the move to implants.

Some Implant Options

With a two-piece coronal design, the ZEST Anchors LOCATOR® Overdenture Implant System (LODI) is said to offer a less invasive, predictable and durable implant-retained overdenture for patients requiring an effective, cost-conscious technique for securing their dentures.

ZESTanchors.com

800-262-2310

Available in 15° and 30° angle configurations, the Zimmer Angled Tapered Abutment promotes angulation correction for off-axis implant placement, repositioning the restorative platform to facilitate insertion of the prosthesis. The abutment’s 1.2 mm low-profile cone is described as optimal for use in cases with limited interocclusal space, while the cone’s 15° degree taper allows for additional angulation correction.

zimmerdental.com

800-854-7019

Biomet 3i’s new Laboratory Designed Abutments for Competitive Implant Systems (LDAC) is engineered for optimal performance and esthetics. Features include: full CAD/CAM design process; easy design and electronic order submission; designed to meet the specifications of the original parts; and it’s backed by lifetime warranty on the abutment, screw, original implant and restoration (restorative benefit up to $500).

biomet3i.com

800-342-5454

Nobel Biocare offers an extensive assortment of bone-level and tissue-level dental implants for all indications, bone types and surgical protocols. The company’s latest offering, NobelReplace Conical Connection (CC) and Platform Shift (PS), have been added to the tapered implant system. The system combines the tapered implant body to facilitate high primary stability with a strong and tight connection for maximum restorative outcome.

nobelbiocare.com

800-322-5001

Straumann CARES Customized Abutments are designed to provide a precise implant-abutment connection and facilitate soft-tissue management for treatment predictability. These abutment solutions are designed to be precise and indistinguishable from surrounding natural teeth. The bone level abutments with the proprietary CrossFit® Connection and Consistent Emergence Profiles® are designed to provide a precise implant-abutment connection and facilitate soft tissue management for treatment predictability.

straumann.us