Role of implants in the treatment of edentulous patients

People wearing complete dentures need to develop considerable skills if they are to use their dentures successfully. A number of people are unable to master these skills and demand something better. The dental profession's attempts to satisfy this demand have taken a number of forms, but one consistent approach has been the attempt to produce dental implants that endure. This article reviews the literature relating to the use of implants in treating the edentulous patient, with emphasis being given to implants using the principle of osseointegration. These implants are used to support both fixed restorations and removable overdentures. Brief consideration is also given to the situation in which the quantity of available bone is insufficient to use implant fixtures.