Comprehensive dental implant training for undergraduate dental students: a Canadian university experience

Background: Mini dental implant (MDI) overdenture rehabilitation for the edentulous maxilla is a valuable, less invasive and affordable treatment alternative for complete removable dentures (CRD). However, comparative quantification of masticatory performance in different oral conditions are scarce. Purpose: This study compares objective masticatory performance of dentate groups, maxillary CRD and MDI overdentures and subjective masticatory performance in maxillary CRD and MDI overdentures. Materials and Methods: Four groups were defined, age 20+ dentate dental students (DS), age 50+ complete dentate subjects (DP), age 50+ maxillary CRD or MDI overdentures/dentate mandible. Objective masticatory performance was evaluated by measuring circular Variance of Hue (VOH) or the mixture degree of two-color chewing gum (Hue-check View Gum® Test). Additionally, subjective masticatory comparison was investigated in the CRD and MDI groups, with a visual analogue scale (VAS) for different food consistencies and the Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQL) OHIP-14 questionnaire. Results: The mean VOH was 0.11 (SD 0.50, range 0.05–0.27) for the dentate dental 20+ students, 0.13 (SD 0.08, range 0.03–0.31) for the 50+ dentate group (p = 0.774), 0.41 (SD 0.41, range 0.14–0.76) for the CRD group and 0.39 (SD 0.18, range 0.07–0.76) for the MDI group (p = 0.725). Based on the VAS scores, no improvement was found between the CRD and the MDI overdenture group (p > 0.050). The mean OHIP-14 total score was 12.10 (SD 15.87, range 0–56) for CRD, while the MDI group (p = 0.039) saw a significant improvement to 2.85 (SD 2.85, range 0–15). Conclusion: Comparable results in objective masticatory performance were registered in dentate 20+ and 50+ subjects with a remarkable inferior outcome for the CRD and MDI group. Compared to CRD, MDI overdentures revealed no substantial improvement in subjective and objective masticatory performance. However, for MDI a significant increase in OHRQL was apparent.

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The influence of dental experience on a dental implant navigation system

BMC Oral Health ◽

10.1186/s12903-019-0914-2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ting-Mao Sun ◽

Huey-Er Lee ◽

Ting-Hsun Lan

Keyword(s):

Dental Implant ◽

Navigation System ◽

Surgical Navigation ◽

Total Error ◽

Operating Time ◽

Dental Students ◽

Optical Tracking ◽

Implant Surgery ◽

Experience Levels ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background This study evaluated the operating performance of an implant navigation system used by dental students and dentists of prosthodontic background with varying levels of experience. A surgical navigation system and optical tracking system were used, and dentists’ accuracies were evaluated in terms of differences between the positions of actually drilled holes and those of the holes planned using software before surgeries. Methods The study participants were 5 dental students or dentists who had studied in the same university and hospital but had different experience levels regarding implants. All participants were trained in operating the AqNavi system in the beginning of the study. Subsequently, using 5 pairs of dental models, each participant drilled 5 implant holes at 6 partially edentulous positions (11, 17, 26, 31, 36, and 47). In total, each participant conducted 30 drilling tests. Results In total, 150 tests among 5 dentists at 6 tooth positions (11, 17, 26, 31, 36, and 47) were conducted. Although a comparison of the tests revealed significant differences in the longitudinal error (P < .0001) and angular error (P = .0011), no significant difference was observed in the total error among the dentists. Conclusions A relatively long operating time was associated with relatively little implant experience. Through the dental navigation system, dental students can be introduced to dental implant surgery earlier than what was possible in the past. The results demonstrated that the operational accuracy of the dental implant navigation system is not restricted by participants’ implant experience levels. The implant navigation system assists the dentist in the ability to accurately insert the dental implant into the correct position without being affected by his/her own experience of implant surgery.

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Measurement of Clinicians' Ability to Hand Torque Dental Implant Components

Journal of Oral Implantology ◽

10.1563/1548-1336-35.4.185 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 185-188 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Ali Kanawati ◽

Mark W. Richards ◽

Jeffery J. Becker ◽

Natalie E. Monaco

Keyword(s):

Dental Implant ◽

Dental Students ◽

Male Students ◽

Torque Measurement ◽

Maximum Torque ◽

Average Maximum ◽

Dental Practitioners ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Implant Dentistry ◽

Torque Values

Abstract There is a varying degree of hand torque abilities using finger drivers among clinicians. Calibrating one's own abilities requires complicated instruments not readily available. This study evaluated a simple-to-use method that allows dental practitioners to have a quantifiable clinical assessment of relative torque ability using finger drivers to torque down dental implant components. A typodont that includes dental implants was mounted in a mannequin placed in a patient-reclined position. The subjects were asked to torque as tightly as they could a new healing abutment to an implant secured firmly in resin within the typodont. All participants wore moistened gloves when using a finger driver. The healing abutment was countertorqued using a certified precalibrated precision torque measurement device. The reading on the torque driver was recorded when the healing abutment disengaged. An average of torque values of dentists and dental students was calculated. Fifty subjects had an average maximum torque ability of 24 Ncm (male dentists: 28 Ncm; students: 22 Ncm; male students: 24 Ncm; female students: 19 Ncm). Maximum torque values for all participants ranged from 11 Ncm to 38 Ncm. There was no significant difference between groups. This study showed a varying degree of hand torquing abilities using a finger driver. Clinicians should regularly calibrate their ability to torque implant components to more predictably perform implant dentistry. Dental implant manufacturers should more precisely instruct clinicians as to maximum torque, as opposed to “finger tighten only.”

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Dental Implant Placement by Predoctoral Dental Students: A Pilot Program

Journal of Dental Education ◽

10.1002/j.0022-0337.2012.76.10.tb05389.x ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 76 (10) ◽

pp. 1342-1346 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ziad Jalbout ◽

Edgard El Chaar ◽

Stuart Hirsch

Keyword(s):

Dental Implant ◽

Dental Students ◽

Pilot Program ◽

Implant Placement

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Predoctoral Dental Students’ Perceptions of Dental Implant Training: Effect of Preclinical Simulation and Clinical Experience

Journal of Dental Education ◽

10.21815/jde.016.001 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 81 (4) ◽

pp. 395-403 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Soni Prasad ◽

Naveen Bansal

Keyword(s):

Dental Implant ◽

Clinical Experience ◽

Dental Students ◽

Training Effect

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Knowledge, awareness, and perception of dental students, interns, and freshly graduated dentists regarding dental implant complications in Saudi Arabia: a web-based anonymous survey

BMC Oral Health ◽

10.1186/s12903-021-01506-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Islam Saad ◽

Suzan Salem

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Dental Implant ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Primary Stability ◽

Dental Students ◽

Mechanical Complication ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Web Based ◽

Implant Complications ◽

Level Of Knowledge

Abstract Background It is necessary for dental students and freshly graduated dentists to apply their education and practice to different clinical and preclinical procedures. The implant success rate and durability are high. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the level of knowledge, awareness and perception of dental students, interns and freshly graduated students regarding dental implant complications in Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study design using a web-based method was conducted at different dental institutions in Saudi Arabia from December 2019 to March 2020. Data were collected from all (n = 288) undergraduate students, interns and freshly graduated dentists using a pretested standardized self-administered web-based questionnaire that was prepared and circulated using a template provided by Google Forms (Google, Inc., USA). Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were performed to analyse the data using SPSS (version 20). Results A total of 288 participants completed the questionnaire, with a response rate of 83.4%. Of the total participants, 37.5% showed a good level of knowledge regarding dental implant procedures, and 38.9% showed the same level of knowledge regarding implant complications. The most important cause of complications associated with dental implants was case selection, which accounted for 54.17%. Most participants (58.33%) chose massive bone loss related to implant failure as the most common late dental complication, while 26.39% chose postoperative infection as the most common early dental complication. In addition, 30.56% of the participants selected screw loosening as the most frequent mechanical complication. However, lack of implant primary stability was the most common hard-tissue implant complication. Based on aesthetic and reversible complications, restorations that were too buccal or too palatal and prosthetic-related, respectively, were the least common dental implant complications. Conclusions The level of knowledge among participants regarding dental implant complications differed among the institutions participating in this study. This difference reflects a significant variation that necessitates reviewing and standardizing dental implant curricula among these institutions.

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