Rationale for Implants: Complete Edentulism
Rationale for Implants: Complete Edentulism is organized by Dentaltown, L.L.C.
Released: 9/10/2013
Review Date: 6/30/2022
Expiration Date: 6/30/2025
Overview:
The goal of modern dentistry is to return patients to normal function, esthetics, speech and health. The completely edentulous patient is more in need than any other patient. Yet, less than 3% of a dentists’ time is spent treating this section of the population.
There are 30 million people in the USDA that are missing some of their teeth in at least one dental study and 20 million people have no teeth at all. Once the teeth are lost, not only are functional, speech, and health reduced, there is loss of bone. The bone loss after tooth loss may be more than 20 mm in height of bone in each haw. As a consequence, facial esthetics is severely compromised.
Dental implants stimulate bone and prevent gross bone loss after tooth loss. As a result, facial esthetics is maintained, since muscle attachments are not affected and atrophy of bone and muscle does not occur. Hence, dental implants not only return a patient to normal function and improved speech, dental and facial esthetics are vastly improved as a result of dental implants in the complete edentulous patient.
This program reviews the benefits of implant treatment for edentulous patients. The dental team should be aware of the consequences of complete tooth loss and the benefits of dental implants.
Educational Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to achieve the following:
• Understand and explain the effects of complete edentulism as they relate to aging population.
• Learn the esthetic consequences of bone loss in the jaws.
• Learn criteria for long term implant success for the completely edentulous patient.
• Understanding the true prosthetic options available to restore a completely edentulous patient.
• Understand long term effect of edentulisium on the remaining bone.