October 17, 2011

Dr. Gerhard Iglhaut

Current Concepts in Esthetic Implantology

Soft and hard tissue management in implant therapy turns more and more to minimal invasive surgical procedures. The goal in the aesthetic zone is to prevent the natural appearance and hard and soft tissue structure. Important requirements are avoiding surface incisions and using free combined soft tissue grafts. Presented techniques offer the opportunity of atraumatic wound closure after immediate implant placement and of thickening the periodontal biotype the same time. Ridge augmentation of severe alveolar defi ciencies often results in a technique sensitive procedure demanding the oral surgeon and patient.

In 2005 a new ultrasonic and degradable system was fi rst used in craniofacial osteosynthesis. This biodegradable material allows the very simple ultrasonic fi xation of resorbable membranes or plates with higher stability compared to screw fi xation.

The shell technique is a new minimal invasive surgical procedure used to extensive horizontal and/or vertical bone augmentation. In severe ridge defi ciencies this technique could replace traumatic bone block grafting and challenging rigid graft fi xation. The speaker will demonstrate innovative techniques based on 25 years experience in private practice.

Previous studies demonstrated that bone level arounding oral implants are primarily infl uenced by the location of the implant abutment junction (microgap) in relation to the crestal bone. After abutment connection the bone level is reduced approximately 1.5-2.0 mm below the implant abutment junction (bone remodelling) frequently causing soft tissue recession. The soft tissue dimension correlates to the dimension around natural teeth (biological width), except the poor quality of soft tissue and the lack of connective tissue attachment to titanium surfaces.

In a human proof of principle study the possibility of connective tissue attachment to laser ablated microchannel surface placed on implant collars was demonstrated. In a actual animal research laser ablated microgrooves were placed on a abutment surface and resulted in signifi cant improvement by inhibiting junctional epithelium downgrowth and crestal bone resorption. The lecture will focus on the clinical relevance of soft tissue attachment on titanium surfaces of abutment and innovative prosthodontic options.

Attendees will learn:

1. Atraumatic technique of flap preparation
2. Flapless wound closure after immediate implant placement
3. Minimal invasive horizontal and vertical bone augmentation by rigid fixation of biodegradable plates and/or membranes
4. Reflection on scientific data on soft tissue adaption on titanium surfaces
5. Prosthodontic options and clinical use of innovative abutments

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Iglhaut earned a degree in dentistry from Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Germany. He served as a scientifi c assistant in the department of Oral Surgery for three years, and earned a specialist certifi cate in Oral Surgery at the same university, later a specialist certifi cate in Oral Implantology (DGI) and Periodontology (EDA).

Dr. Iglhaut is lecturer of the German Association of Oral Implantology (DGI). In the same society he is board member since 2004 and actually the President elect. Since 2005 he is docent in Oral Implantology at the Steinbeis-University in Berlin, since 2008 docent at the Georg-August-University in Göttingen. He has lectured internationally on Oral Implantology, Periodontology, Plastic Periodontal Surgery and Periodontal Microsurgery.

He holds membership in numerous dental professional organizations including the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, American Academy of Restorative Dentistry, American Academy of Periodontology, European Academy of Osseointegration , German Association of Oral Surgery, German Association of Oral Implantology, German Association of Periodontology. Dr. Iglhaut maintains a private practice in Memmingen, Germany.