What is the best protocol for implants in the Aesthetic Zone?
When dealing with implants in the Aesthetic Zone, one might be confronted with a lot of choices. Different surgical protocols are presented all the time, from immediacy to socket shield or partial extraction, to early placement with GBR, or late placement. And on top we might have to consider in-between choices such as ridge preservation, soft tissue augmentations with Connective Tissue or different types of Xenografts and more. Finally the restorative protocols are very much intermingled with our surgical choices and the timing and type of the provisional restoration will bring another critical set of decisions! What is the best protocol to follow? Is there really a golden standard?
Do not generalise - individualise!
The truth is that all the above and many more are valid protocols, many of them with significant evidence base. Nevertheless, they all have limitations, indications and contraindications. Nothing works for everyone in every case and the real mastery is to plot the right path for the patient in front of you, combining the most suitable protocols and techniques!
Successful implant therapy in the aesthetic zone is the sum of two important parametres:
- First, decision making! One will have to successfully navigating the many protocols we have and select the best combination for the individual patient! From immediacy to early or late placement, immediate temporisation or loading, and all restorative designs and pathways.
- Second, one will have to master the respective techniques, from bone and soft tissue augmentations, GBR, two stage augmentations and tissue conditioning with provisional restorations and more.
Successful implant therapy in the aesthetic zone is the sum of two important parametres:
- First, decision making! One will have to successfully navigating the many protocols we have and select the best combination for the individual patient! From immediacy to early or late placement, immediate temporisation or loading, and all restorative designs and pathways.
- Second, one will have to master the respective techniques, from bone and soft tissue augmentations, GBR, two stage augmentations and tissue conditioning with provisional restorations and more.