Platform Switching Research and Clinical Decisions in Implant Therapy - Part 1
Dr. Alan Fetner discusses how he utilized a retrospective analysis of his clinical results to confirm his decision to utilize a platform switch implant design combined with subcrestal placement to optimize and stabilize osseous and esthetic soft tissue levels.

S.M.A.R.T. Minimally Invasive Bone Grafting
Introduction to the S.M.A.R.T. TM Minimally Invasive Bone Grafting Technique is a novel minimally invasive bone grafting technique developed by Dr. Ernesto Lee. It provides superior outcomes with less pain, less swelling and fewer complications than traditional bone grafting procedures. Only a small incision is required, with no flap elevation, no tenting screws and no membranes. Complex, high risk scenarios can now be treated with minimal risk of complications. The S.M.A.R.T. TM method represents a disruptive technology that will dramatically impact the future of bone grafting

Socket Shield; What Do We Know, What´s New?
The Socket Shield technique is a “new” procedure with 10 years of documented successful cases worldwide. Lately we have done some new proposals like the way we extract the lingual slice, the relation of the shield level to the bone, the use of miniflaps, the distance between implant and shield just to mention some. On the other hand, the only minor “problem” with this technique is the “external shield exposure” and here I propose the method of successful treatment. We will see the convenience of applying SS to molars also on the light of the paper of Dr. Mataraso from 2009. The molar SS is a viable alternative rather than ridge preservation techniques.

Vertical or Shoulderless Preparations in Contemporary Prosthodontics
Tooth preparations without a defined finish line have been termed in several different ways, such as knife edge, feather edge, or shoulderless. From a biological standpoint, preserving a maximum amount of sound tooth structure, as it is done in vertical preparations, might also offer a more conservative alternative to a horizontal margin design in other clinical conditions such as endodontically treated teeth, vital teeth in young individual, teeth affected by caries at the cervical third. Vertical margins on zirconia crowns have been tested in vitro and clinical reports have been published. A re-evaluation of possible advantages and shortcomings of vertical preparation design in contemporary prosthodontics will be presented in light of recently published literature.

Health & Emotion: A biological treatment concept with ceramic implants
Ceramic implants are different, as is the concept. Health and above all sustainable health is a megatrend of our time. Ceramic implants are the stepping stone or missing link to biological dentistry, which aims not only at preserving teeth, but at preserving people's health. In addition to inadequate nutrition, stress and environmental conditions, the teeth are a frequent cause of chronic inflammation and ultimately a chronic disease. By improving the general conditions (nutrition and nutritional supplements, stress, environment) and consistent metal-free dentistry, dentists can have a very positive influence on the health of their patients.

Immediate Molar Implants: When, Why, and How?
Multi-rooted extraction sockets are often too large to accommodate a traditional diameter implant, therefore ultra wide diameter implants as a clinical alternative can predictably simplify procedures without compromising function and esthetics. Problems with use of traditional implants may include the ability to gain adequate primary stability, use of large amounts of graft material, and poor embrasure spaces causing food impaction. The focus of this lecture will highlight clinical rational to improve success, anatomical and restorative benefits of immediate placement, evidence-based outcomes reported in literature, and survival and success rates reported by the presenter. This lecture is intended for restorative dentists.

Root submergence technique as a partial extraction therapy to preserve the alveolar ridge tissues: A systematic review and appraisal of the literature
The loss of alveolar ridge volume as a result of tooth extraction has been noted in the literature since the 1960s.1-3 The full extent of why this happens is still not entirely understood,4 with a widely accepted explanation for the loss relating to factors that include trauma the extraction socket as a wound sees upregulation of inflammatory processes, resultant activation of osteoclastic activity, resorption of the extraction socket, and an eventual healing that typically results in loss of tissue volume and architecture.5 Second, bundle boned removal of the tooth results in periodontal ligament (PDL) fibers being severed, loss of Sharpey fibers that insert into bundle bone, and a subsequent loss of the mineralized bone layer that lines the alveolus.4-6 At the buccal or facial aspect, the bone plate may consist entirely of bundle bone.

The Socket-Shield Technique to Support the Buccofacial Tissues at Immediate Implant Placement
Tooth loss and subsequent ridge collapse continue to burden restorative implant treatment. Careful management of the post-extraction tissues is needed to preserve the alveolar ridge. In-lieu of surgical augmentation to correct a ridge defect, the socket-shield technique offers a promising solution. As the root submergence technique retains the periodontal attachment and maintains the alveolar ridge for pontic site development, this case report demonstrates the hypothesis that retention of a prepared tooth root section as a socket-shield prevents the recession of tissues buccofacial to an immediately placed implant. The socket-shield technique is a highly promising addition to clinical implant dentistry and this case report is among the first to demonstrate the procedure in clinical practice with a 1-year follow up.

Bone Grafting of Previously Used Symphysial Donor Sites for Onlay of Newly Formed Bone and Reharvesting Potential Symphysis Revisited:Clinical and Histologic Evaluation
Placement of an endosseous implant requires sufficient bone volume for complete bone coverage. The use of intraoral block bone grafts from intraoral sources has increased over the years. Possible sources for autogenic bone are the calvarium ,tibia,and the iliac crest(frequently used for major jaw reconstruction).However,these sources are not always recommended because of their morbidity,altered ambulation,and the need for hospitalization,as well as significant resorption associated with corticocancellous block grafts from endochondral donor sites.