Implantology in oral & maxillofacial surgery. The complexity of 'simple' cases

Dental implants have been a routine part of dental practice for many years and are performed by a variety of practitioners with different backgrounds and training. This paper will outline the principles and practical surgical aspects of 'simple' implant placement against a background of our current understanding of the literature that informs our surgical procedures. Implants need to be placed in a restoratively suitable position surrounded by sufficient bone, draped in adequate keratinised soft tissue and sufficiently separated from one another and the adjacent teeth. Practically, while the above principles apply, there are nuances based on the local situation, adjacent teeth and restorative needs which will be considered in this paper. Surgery for the placement of implants needs a practitioner with adequate surgical training and experience and who understands the biological aspects and restorative needs of each clinical situation.