Simon Wright
Glencairn Dental group, UK
Title: Are patients able to aid the early diagnosis of peri-implant complications? A new way to monitor our treatment
Biography
Biography: Simon Wright
Abstract
Dental implants are a common treatment modality to replace missing teeth, and high survival rates in several 10 years follow-up studies, which have encouraged their widespread prescription. However, with an increase in the provision of dental implants, there is an increase in the number and frequency of patients that are affected by complications. This is further complicated by different stages of treatment often being carried out by multiple clinicians. This multi-disciplinary approach is encouraged, however it makes follow up and auditing treatment outcomes more challenging. In particular, when the maintenance and review is undertaken by GDP’s with little or no training in the detection of peri-implant complications and disease implant complications, both mechanical and biological can eventually lead to bone loss around the implant and ultimately implant loss. Hence it is essential to detect and treat complications early, and although the data is limited for the treatment of peri-implant complications, there is evidence that an early diagnosis will allow an early intervention and a more predictable resolution. If early signs are missed, in particular with reference to peri-implant mucositis, this will develop into peri-implantitis which is more complicated and less predictable to treat. This presentation investigates the methods, and presents Dr Wright’s research for monitoring implants in the short and the long term, and to discuss if the patient can play an active role in this monitoring programme.