Course:

Emerging evidence points towards significant interrelations between the condition of the peri-implant tissue and the implant-abutment-prosthesis complex. A new paradigm is essential, where the peri-implant tissues will be analysed in close interrelation with the implant, abutment and prosthesis complex, under the presence of oral biofilm. The aim of this course is to make the participant familiar with the concept of the “Implant Supra-crestal Complex” (ISC) and describe the critical elements that define it as a unique anatomic, and functional system of human tissues, mechanical components and oral bacteria / biofilm. The lecture reveals recent evidence to identify the impact of design features on both short-term clinical outcomes, as well as on the long-term health of the peri-implant bone and soft tissues. Prosthetic-driven implant placement is the prerequisite for the proper design of the ISC, which in turn can indirectly influence the structure and dimensions of the peri-implant soft tissues. Design features of the implant-prosthesis abutment complex such as the Emergence Profile (EP), Emergence Angle (EA) and Cervical Margin (CM), as well as the design of the implant-abutment and abutment prosthesis junctions and their location in relation to the tissues of the ISC can have significant impact in the maintenance of stable and healthy peri-implant tissues in the long term.