Complications with implants – where we are and where we are headed?

Presented by Dr Stephen Chen

Dental implant therapy represents an increasingly important treatment modality for the rehabilitation of individuals who have lost teeth. As with all treatments, there are complications with implant treatment. In this lecture, the latest information regarding the incidence of biological, mechanical and aesthetic complications will be described, and the consequences these have on the delivery of dental implant care to patients. This lecture will set the stage for the presentations to follow.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define the types of complications associated with dental implants.
• List the complication rates for the various types of dental implant complications.

Surgical complications with implant placement

Presented by Dr Patrishia Bordbar

An overview of acute and chronic complications which may arise from implant surgery will be presented.

Management of these complications will be outlined as well as planning and protocol guidelines to help avoid and minimise these complications. Important anatomical landmarks will be revised and case illustrations will be used to highlight challenges in management of these cases.

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Understand common acute and chronic surgical complications associated with implant surgery
• Understand management strategies to avoid these complications
• Have strategies in managing complications which arise from implant surgery.

Early complications

Presented by Dr Benedicta Wong

Dental implant treatment in the modern day aims to provide the best outcome possible in terms of function, aesthetics and health in a predictable manner. Early complications can result in significant patient and clinician disappointment, and can often be avoided if adequate steps are taken as part of the treatment planning process.

This lecture describes various types of early complications, and details steps to minimise such complications.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Diagnose the various different types of early complications
• Identify factors which lead to early complications
• Recognise the clinician's role in preventing early complications
• Implement strategies to reduce early complications.

Late complications

Presented by Dr Andre Locke

Late complications around implant fixtures are an increasingly common presentation in practice due to the increase in the number of implant fixtures in being placed over time. This presentation will focus on the identification of such complications, their aetiology and treatment strategies.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Recognise late implant complications
• Identify the aetiology of such complications
• Implement appropriate management strategies for late complications.

Prosthetic complications

Presented by Dr Gordon Burt

Misleadingly, dental implants have been marketed as a solution that will last 'for life'. Complications are, however, common. Complications span a wide spectrum, from those that can be considered 'normal' maintenance, to catastrophic failure. Strategies to avoid some common issues and management of prosthetic complications will be presented.At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Anticipate common complications
• Apply design principles to help prevent some complications
• Apply design principles to improve prosthesis and implant maintenance
• Address some prosthetic and implant complications as they occur.

Dealing with non-ideal implant placement

Presented by Dr Simon Watson

Ideally the placement of dental implants should be driven by the restorative treatment plan. However, occasionally an implant is positioned such that the options for restoration are significantly reduced, and in some cases quite compromised. This presentation will explore treatment considerations for non-ideal implant positions.

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Appreciate the importance for restoratively driven implant surgical planning
• Understand restorative options for restoring non-ideal and poorly positioned implants
• Appreciate the rationale for retrievable implant-supported restorations.

Implant outcomes in medically compromised populations

Presented by Dr Stephen Austin

When it comes to implants, the most predictable treatment plan is often the best. This is particularly relevant in medically compromised patients. This presentation will discuss what we know (and what we don't know) about the outcomes of implant therapy in this important patient group.

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify the common medical issues encountered in a private implant practice
• Recognise which medical issues will influence your outcomes
• Anticipate risk, for both the patient and clinician
• Apply this knowledge to improve your consent process.