implantology

Science Friday: New Denture Ceramic for Dentistry

February 3, 2012 By Catherine Hughes Leave a Comment

Stronger, prettier dentures? New ceramic materials for dental bridges?

Chemists in Germany believe they have made a breakthrough in creating a better ceramic.

Glass chemist Prof. Dr. Christian Rüssel of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany) and his colleagues of the Otto-Schott-Institute for Glass Chemistry were successful in producing a new nanocrystalline glass ceramic, which may be suitable for use in dentistry due to their strength and optical characteristics.

Science Daily News is reporting that the glass chemists of Jena University have recently published their ceramic research results in the online-edition of the science magazine Journal of Biomedical Materials Research.

Prof. Rüssel told SDN,”We achieve a strength five times higher than with comparable denture ceramics available today. In combination with new optical characteristics an additional field of application is opening up for these materials in dentistry. The enamel is partly translucent, which the ceramic is also supposed to be.”

The fundamental materials are melted at approximately 1.500 °C, then cooled before being finely cut up. The material is then melted and cooled a second time. Finally, the nanocrystals are produced by controlled heating to about 1,000 °C, which determines the crystallisation crucial for the strength of the product.

According to Rüssel, the ceramic ends up looking translucent, like a natural tooth.

This is good news for dentists, denture patients and those seeking dental implants who want the look and strength of regular teeth.

General Dentistry & The Dental Implant Dentist

February 16, 2010 By Julie Frey 3 Comments

Today's dental implant dentist isn't necessarily a specialists. In fact, this survey found that 99% of general dentists restore dental implants, and 55% place the implants themselves in straightforward dental implant surgery cases.

"They were invented by GPs like us," said one general dentist. "More dentists should be placing them. Specialists should not be arrogantly taking control."

We also found that 30% place implants, even in difficult cases, and 33% offer immediate load dental implants. When it comes to mini dental implants/denture implants, 61% restore them, and 45% place them.

Here are some comments from dental implant dentists:

“Implants need to be the dentist's deal….. Do not rely on the oral surgeon or periodontist for anything but placement.” (Connecticut dentist)
“I feel placement of dental implants is best left to board certified oral surgeons because I have seen a very high failure rate with the implants placed by dentists.” (Alabama dentist)
"Mini dental implants do not have long-term clinical evidence to support widespread use under dentures as a definitive restoration.” (California prosthodontist)
“Significant slowdown of dental implants in this economy.” (Minnesota dentist)

Filed Under: Dental Implants, Dental Surveys Tagged With: dental implant dentist, dental implants, denture implants, implant dentistry, implantology, mini dental implants, tooth implants

Half of General Dentists Placing Dental Implants

May 30, 2007 By Julie Frey Leave a Comment

Implant Dentistry Is Becoming More and More Popular

In this poll, we finally asked a question many of you have requested we cover in one of our surveys: Do you place your own dental implants?

The general dentists in our poll were split on the issue. Fifty-three percent of the general dentists in our poll responded, “Yes, I place my own implants.” The remaining 47% replied, “No, I refer patients to a specialist.”

Not surprisingly, specialists had a very different profile than general dentists. Four out of five specialists in our poll place dental implants. Those who do not place implants are endodontists, prosthodontists, and pediatric dentists.

Here are some of our dentists’ comments:

“Every general dentist who can extract a tooth can do most implant surgeries. I feel that Oral Surgeons really do not want you to know how easy it is. All dentists owe it to themselves and to their patients.”

“I have neither the experience nor the knowledge of anatomy that would allow me to feel comfortable placing implants.”

“I pick and choose. Those patients who need a more complex treatment are referred to our in-house oral surgeon or periodontists.”

“I’m taking a course in implantology, so soon I will offer them myself.”

“I use mini-implants in office where and when I’m able. I refer out traditional implants.”

“Like they say: if you try to be a jack of all trades, you will be a master of none. I am fortunate to have one of the best implant specialists in the entire country in my backyard. I never have to worry about improper or sloppy placement like I get from other ‘professionals.’”

Post your own comments below!

Read the full dental implant survey results.;