Bridging the gap: improving access to implant restorations

Bridging the gap - Improving access to implant restorations
In recent years, dental implants have become popular for replacing missing teeth or molars. When the implant is successfully placed, a crown or bridge can be mounted onto it with as a replacement tooth. And although implant treatment is often successful nowadays, various factors still discourage patients or practitioners to choose this treatment. One significant factor is the overall cost of the treatment, but there are also situations where existing products do not fully provide a solution. For this dissertation, research was conducted on several newer techniques that could make implant treatment accessible to an even larger group of patients by addressing some of these factors. This includes the use of intra-oral scanners instead of traditional impressions and the application of components that are cheaper or more versatile, ideally without compromising quality. The research was carried out in patient studies, laboratory tests, and existing literature. The main conclusion is that new materials and techniques do indeed make implant treatment increasingly versatile and easier. And although there is still room for more research, this makes the treatment increasingly accessible.