General dental practitioners and implant suprastructures

Patients with implants inserted by one consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon whose suprastructures were made either by general dental practitioners (GDPs) or the Consultant Service were reviewed and compared. A total of 88 patients with 224 implants inserted over a 12-year period (1991-2003) were identified and contacted while 28 patients with 83 implants volunteered to be examined. Implants survived equally well with GDP- and consultant-produced suprastructures.

Successful placement of implant suprastructures is possible in general dental practice, with appropriate mentoring.