An interdisciplinary approach to treatment planning in implant dentistry

The practice of implant dentistry requires an interdisciplinary approach that integrates the knowledge, skills, and experience of all the disciplines of dentistry into a comprehensive treatment plan. The team must examine the anticipated restorative site to determine the suitability of the existing hard and soft tissues for implant placement. Deficiencies in hard and soft tissue, which prevent ideal implant placement, must be recognized and addressed to ensure a more predictable esthetic outcome. This article outlines a comprehensive interdisciplinary treatment philosophy designed for developing the foundation of optimal esthetics in implant dentistry. Cases are presented to illustrate the utility of interdisciplinary treatment in which specialists are recruited to enhance and improve a patient's dental function and esthetics.