OSSEOINTEGRATED IMPLANTS FOR SINGLE TOOTH REPLACEMENT IN GENERAL-PRACTICE - A 1-YEAR REPORT FROM A MULTICENTER PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

The single tooth implant is a treatment option for the replacement of missing single teeth and in many cases is the treatment of choice. It is, however, an expensive treatment requiring a co-ordinated approach to the surgical and restorative aspects of treatment. In this study, a group of dentists in general and restorative dental practice and with no previous experience in implant surgery underwent an intensive trai ning course in all aspects of implant treatment for single teeth. Usin g a system of simplified instrumentation with a strict adherence to pr otocol, the group installed and restored single tooth implants ad modu m Branemark in a wide range of clinical situations. At the one year fo llowup period following crown insertion, the success rate of treatment compared favourably with results reported from centres using the spec ialist team approach to treatment. The results of this study indicate that further consideration should be given to the training of general dentists so that improved delivery of dental health care can be provid ed at a more economic level.