Latest Blog Post

Somewhere in the middle on 2016 I should hit 4,500 implants placed in my career (since 1998).

A relatively significantly landmark for me but not as significant as 5,000 which will not occur for at least another two years (250 – 300 per year)

I did think though that it would be good to reflect slightly on what I’ve learned significantly in the placement of so many implants and how that might reflect on my practice or, dare I say it, someone else’s practice.

So, here goes… not an exhaustive list but a list none the less:

1. It is much harder than you think.
2. It remains much harder than you think.
3. Complications will always, always, always occur is some patients regardless of what you do.
4. It’s not the only treatment available in almost every case.
5. Don’t believe the hype.
6. If a new product comes along and it’s not clinically proven to be better or the same yet cheaper then don’t use it.
7. If it looks like shit and smells like shit then it’s generally shit.

8 Smokers get more complications.

9. Perio patients get more complications.
10. Perio patients who are smokers get lots of complications.
11. Implant over dentures on locators fail more than anything else.
12. There is absolutely no excuse for a numb lip but in some cases they do happen.
13. It’s really, really easy to criticise someone else’s implant placement.
14. It’s really, really, really hard to take someone else’s criticism of your implant placement.
15. The older you get and the more you place the more you appreciate that the simple things are the best.

Blog Post Number: 841