Dental CE: In It for the Long Haul by Dr. LeRoy Horton

It’s time to start rethinking the definition of long-term success in implant cases

Abstract
As an instructor and lecturer to colleagues in the dental field, especially those interested in implantology, my perspective has been that of a general dentist who understands the struggle of working 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. five or six days per week and having to go out of your way to gain extra training and knowledge for specialty procedures. I now have the luxury of being both a practicing general dentist of 15 years who also happens to be completing his first year of a graduate periodontics residency. My current experiences have inspired what I explore in this article.

Course description
This course explores three common risk factors for peri-implant disease and makes a case as to why implant practitioners should commit to a shift in their strategies for success. This shift should take us from being mostly concerned with immediate success with our implants to a long-term vision that includes risk assessment and patient specific treatment modification.

Educational objectives
After reading this article, the participant should understand the following:

1. The importance of risk assessment.
2. The relationship of periodontitis to peri-implant disease.
3. The relationship between oral hygiene and maintenance-visit compliance and peri-implant disease.
4. The relationship between smoking and peri-implant disease.
5. The relationship between diabetes and peri-implant disease.
6. Treatment modifications for the long-term success in implant placement.

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