Defining Terms: Implant Terminology Update

Dr. Alan MeltzerFROM THE DESK OF ALAN M. MELTZER DMD MScD

Over the past several years there have been numerous advances in dental implant technology. In the next several months it is my plan to update you on these advances. I will also explore the advantages and disadvantages of these new technologies and aid you in positioning them properly in your upcoming treatment plans. It is extremely important that marketing hype be separated from evidence-based fact. No approach has become obsolete; they each occupy an important place in proper dental implant treatment. The objective of this first monograph will be directed toward defining terms.

IMPLANT PLACEMENT TERMINOLOGY

Classic placement: The placement of an implant in an intact edentulous site that has not been disturbed by a graft or extraction for at least six months.

Immediate placement: The placement of an implant in a socket at the time of tooth extraction or the immediate placement of a new implant in a site of an implant explantation.

Early delayed placement: The placement of an implant in an extraction socket 8 weeks post-extraction.

Late delayed placement: The placement of an implant in an extraction socket 4-6 months after an extraction.

IMPLANT HEALING TERMINOLOGY

Single-stage surgery or transmucosal healing: An implant heals exposed to the oral environment. This can be achieved using a transgingival implant design or using a two-piece implant with a healing abutment.

Two-stage surgery or submucosal healing: The traditional approach where an implant is completely submerged below the soft tissue during its integration phase.

IMPLANT LOADING TERMINOLOGY

Immediate loading: A poorly defined term which has fallen out of favor and has been replaced by two more appropriate terms.

Immediate occlusal loading: The loading of an implant within 72 hours of placement. More specifically a restoration is placed on an implant and the restoration is in occlusal contact with the opposing dentition.

Immediate non-occlusal (functional) loading: An implant is restored within 72 hours of placement, but the restoration is out of occlusal contact in centric and lateral excursions.

Regular loading: The loading of an implant after a classic integration period which is usually defined as 3 months in the mandible and 6 months in the maxilla.

Early loading: The loading of an implant after 6-8 weeks of integration.

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