“a unit of dental insight for the curious practitioner” Emily R. Batson DDS, MS The many ways of building bridges – Part 2 In my previous Byte I discussed several aspects in regards to designing fixed implant prostheses (FPD), or bridges. In this issue I will continue the discussion and focus on abutment selection, material selection, and impression techniques. Engaging …
The Batson Byte “a unit of dental insight for the curious practitioner” Emily R. Batson DDS, MS The many ways of building bridges I went for a run in the snow recently and decided to wear an old familiar pair of running shoes. As I was slipping around trying to maintain my balance, I was reminded that I needed to …
RPDs, or Removable Partial Dentures, are three words when used together generate various facial expressions among dentists, staff, and patients. In the history of American dentistry there is perhaps no greater debate other than occlusion on how and why these prostheses should be utilized. As we have seen advancements with dental materials we have seen extra attention given to flexible …
You finished the case! Now what? As prosthodontists around the country are gearing up for the 7th annual National Prosthodontics Awareness Week (April 8-14, 2018), there will be a variety of public awareness campaigns to educate dental professionals and consumers as to what the specialty of prosthodontics is all about. This year I have chosen to dedicate time to raising …
Addressing the Implant Overdenture In an earlier edition of the Byte, I discussed keys to success involving removable dental prostheses. This issue will continue with the topic, but focus on the use of endosseous dental implants to help improve patient outcomes. Let’s look at three common questions regarding the use of dental implants for ovedenture therapy. How many dental implants …
In the last Byte I examined implant location parameters that will lead to optimal outcomes for patients. As a recap I reviewed ideal implant location for esthetic and functional needs and discussed the importance and benefits of provisional implant restorations. In this edition I will focus on how to plan for implant restorations and then communicate your plan for the …
There is increasing discussion about fabricating provisional implant restorations for patients undergoing implant therapy. Although the literature is replete with techniques, we frequently miss the “why” for these restorations. In this Byte I will review the most important reasons for fabricating provisional implant restorations and review a few techniques. The Why Whether restoring a single anterior implant or a full …
Have you ever restored an implant where you said to yourself, I wish that implant were in a different position? In this issue of the Byte, I’ll use a case study to demonstrate how positioning of an implant directly affects the restorative outcome and why the restorative dentist should be the ultimate decider on where an implant lands. The case …