Use of Dental Implants in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Abstract

We have analyzed effectiveness of and problems associated with the dental implant used to support a maxillofacial prosthesis. Our report is based on clinical cases we encountered during the past ten years in the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Saga Medical School.
Issues analyzed are the following: clinical outcome of implants used in prosthetic treatment; difficulties that might arise in such a treatment; post-treatment evaluation of the patient's masticatory function; difficulties that one might encounter in implant treatment with facial prostheses, and prospects for implant-supported maxillofacial prostheses.
Some problems that are focused on and discussed according to our analysis are as follows: timing of installation of the implant; insufficient peri-implant tissue; implanted flaps surrounding the implant; clearance and occlusion between maxilla and mandible; careless operation; difficulty in instrument handling in the oral cavity, and predictability of the implant applied to the maxilla.
Implant-supported maxillofacial prosthesis is sufficiently highly predictable nowadays, in terms of clinical success, such that this treatment modality must be included in the health insurance system as soon as possible. Also stressed is the importance of teamwork on the part of an oral surgeon, periodontist, and prosthodontist in implant-supported maxillofacial prosthodontic treatment.