Implantology at the International Dental Show (IDS) 2017: Material innovations, backward planning, etc

Implantology is distinguishing itself as a cross-sectional science due to a multitude of impulses from different disciplines and is a growth area of dentistry. For example, well over 10,000 dentists carry out implants regularly. For them and for all colleagues, who are planning to start working in this field of therapy, the International Dental Show (IDS) in Cologne is the comprehensive source of information on trends, innovative forms of treatment and new products.

Materials and sizes

A clear development can be seen regarding the materials for implants. More and more new materials are being used in addition to the trusted classics made of titanium. Ceramic implants made of zirconium oxide are a further option today. Usually these are one-piece models, however various two-piece alternatives should be available in time for IDS 2017 - optionally with an adhesive bond or a screw connection. They are devised to enable a closed healing, which is as a rule not possible with one-piece implants. If it "only" comes down to the aesthetics, a host of ready-made ceramic abutments for titanium implants are available as a further option. Alternatively, individual abutments can be made using the CAD/CAM technology.

Furthermore, plastic implants are also becoming interesting. For example, those made out of PEEK (polyether ether ketone) are suitable for the minimally invasive flapless method (insertion without mucoperiosteal flaps). In future related materials could also gain in significance, namely PEKK (polyether ketone ketone). In addition to the pure ceramics and pure plastics, hybrid materials that attempt to combine the best of both worlds are also exciting.

In the area of titanium implants in addition to the classic "big" implants, mini implants (for narrow and atrophied jaws as well as for denture wearers or in narrow gaps in the lateral front teeth area) as well as short implants (i.e. as an alternative to the sinus lift) remain to be interesting options. From the small giants to the big dwarves: The particularly long zygomatic implants, which are anchored into the cheekbone (3-5 centimetres) could gain more recognition for long-time denture wearers or tumour patients or when the surgeon or the patient reject a bone augmentation (for instance because it is "too time-consuming).

Prophylaxis of peri-implantitis

The implant follow-up care is also very important, because it is decisive for the success quota after many years. Here the individual selection of the material for the respective patient plays just as much a role as the emergence profile, which for instance can be optimised by careful backward planning and individual abutments.

The hygiene capability has to be continually taken into account when planning prosthetic implants, whereby the dental industry offers products and services for all options, like for instance the attachment of an abutment on a titanium basis or when it comes down to concepts for screw-retained bars.

A finely differentiated microbiological diagnosis aids a safe prognosis. These include the classic probe for the determination of the probing depths and the bleeding on probing test as well as mirrors and magnifying glasses for determining the plaque index. If a peri-implantary infection is suspected, the further entire analytical tools are put to use: X-ray systems, genetic test on IL-1-polymorphism, determination of microbiological marker bacteria and the active matrix metal proteinase 8 as well as further parametres. IDS shows up until which stage the respective values can be determined directly at the chairside, where the collaboration with a specialised laboratory is necessary and in this case with which methods the probing can be carried out in the practice.

Digital methods for implantology

The healing potential of the body can be exploited to the maximum through an optimised planning of the implant position and the surgery. Traditionally, digital methods provide assistance here, yes indeed implantology is the para-discipline! The advantages of the dental digital worlds can perhaps be put to best use here. These range from the superimposition of different image data (i.e. X-rays, perhaps DVT, CT, intra-oral scanners, scanned model data), to the above-mentioned backward planning, through to the production of drilling templates. Most recently these can take place more and more often in the laboratory or in the practice - which saves times and provides added value for one's own establishment.

GTR & GBR

A further aspiring field within implantology is controlled tissue regeneration and controlled bone regeneration (GTR, GBR). For this purpose the dental industry makes a whole row of products available, first and foremost a manifold offer of bone replacement materials. Here, for instance one only has to think about bespoke CAD/CAM produced bone blocks based on 3D X-ray data, which are precisely inserted and can increase the prospects of success e.g. in the case of augmentations or osteotransplantations! In Cologne, the results of these developments are comprehensively presented by experts from the dental industry – undoubtedly a domain of the IDS. Here, this can either be a question of autologous transplants or allogenic bone blocks. Because the latter too can also even be used for patients with periodontal problems for the reconstruction of deficient alveolar ridges.

The upcoming IDS also offers the implantologically-orientated trade visitor the perfect opportunity to comprehensively inform themselves about all innovations in their dynamic specialist area – an advantage that only the International Dental Show can offer, thanks to its unique size and concentrated competence. Whatever their personal focus, all visitors to the IDS from 21 to 25 March 2017 will find the solutions that suit them best: to this end, numerous experts will be on site to provide advice. Those that are planning their participation at the IDS in advance have the perfect opportunity to gain invaluable stimuli and information for their own activities. Ideally teams of dentists and dental technologists will work together, because as is common knowledge implantology in particular implies constant close teamwork.

"IDS in Cologne is the unique opportunity for the implantologist to experience the manufacturers and their products live and gain a well-founded overview of two-piece ceramic implants, through to contemporary backward planning, which can provide him with additional support in his work in the near future," stated Dr. Martin Rickert, Chairman of the Association of the German Dental Manufacturers e.V. (VDDI).

The IDS (International Dental Show) takes place in Cologne every two years and is organised by the GFDI Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Dental-Industrie mbH, the commercial enterprise of the Association of German Dental Manufacturers (VDDI). It is staged by the Koelnmesse GmbH, Cologne.

100 years of VDDI

The VDDI is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016. It was founded as the Association of German Dental Manufacturers on 24 June 1916 and organised the first Dental Show in 1923. In 1928 the VDDF organised the first International Dental Show. Today the VDDI has 200 member companies with 20,000 employees. The overall turnover is more than Euro 5 billion with an export share of 62 percent.