Chapter 4: Dental Implant ≠ Tooth

Question 1

Functions of Dental Implants:

Answer 1

1. Replace teeth in a partial or complete edentulous patient
2. Retain a prosthesis by acting as an abutment

Question 2

Differences of DI from natural teeth:

Answer 2

1. DI do not develop carious lesions but the same microorganisms that cause tooth decay may still compromise the stability of the DI
2. DI do not have periodontal ligaments which can absorb occlusal load
3. DI do not have dental pulps which can function as early indicators of disease (particularly when lesions of endodontic origin begin to arise)

Question 3

Signs and symptoms of peri-implantitis:

Answer 3

1. Development of pockets around the dental implant
2. Bleeding upon probing which may or may not be accompanied by exudate
3. Edema or erythema of the mucosa
4. Absence of pain
5. Progressive vertical bone loss confirmed through probing and/or radiographs
   *vertical bone loss is caused by:
   - bacteria
   - stress or force
   - combination of stress or force and bacteria

Question 4

Management of peri-implantitis:

Answer 4

1. Short-term systemic antibiotic treatment
2. Aggressive local application of chlorhexidine digluconate or antibiotics
3. Surgical revision of peri-implant site to eradicate causative agents

Question 5

2 Primary Types of Tissue around natural tooth:

Answer 5

Attached, keratinized gingiva
Unattached, unkeratinized gingiva