A review of implant provision for hypodontia patients within a Scottish referral centre

Background: Implant treatment to replace congenitally missing teeth often involves multidisciplinary input in a secondary care environment. High quality patient care requires an in-depth knowledge of treatment requirements. Aim: This service review aimed to determine treatment needs, efficiency of service and outcomes achieved in hypodontia patients. It also aimed to determine any specific difficulties encountered in service provision, and suggest methods to overcome these. Methods: Hypodontia patients in the Unit of Periodontics of the Scottish referral centre under consideration, who had implant placement and fixed restoration, or review completed over a 31 month period, were included. A standardised data collection form was developed and completed with reference to the patient's clinical record. Information was collected with regard to: the indication for implant treatment and its extent; the need for, complexity and duration of orthodontic treatment; the need for bone grafting and the techniques employed and indicators of implant success. Conclusion: Implant survival and success rates were high for those patients reviewed. Incidence of biological complications compared very favourably with the literature

The options for a tooth that requires root canal treatment

There have been many advances in the replacement of teeth, especially using dental implants. There are a number of other options for when a tooth is lost; however, there is also value in maintaining a tooth with the provision of root canal treatment and a good coronal seal. This article summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of each option with supporting evidence from the literature. CPD/Clinical Relevance: This review article provides an updated practical perspective to decision-making when it comes to teeth requiring root canal treatment.</p