Glossary of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants

GLOSSARY OF ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL IMPLANTS

Preface

The evolution and growth of modern implant dentistry have become global. As the field has grown internationally, so has the need for a common implant language. With new developments and technology has come an increasingly diverse and complex literature. For clinical practice, education and research, the time is appropriate for bringing universal commonality to the terminology of implant dentistry.

As one of the multimedia, multilanguage programs envisioned by the Quintessenz Publishing Company, entitled Dynamics in Implant Dentistry, the illustrated glossary component provides a broadly based multidisciplinary exposure to scientific terms pertinent to the field. From a thorough review of the implant textbook and peer-reviewed periodical literature, some 5000 terms were distilled for consideration. Approximately 2000 were selected for inclusion by co-authors representing an interdisciplinary variety of implant-related interests including surgery, radiology, hard and soft tissue biology, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant componentry, research methods and statistics, biomechanics and ceramics.

Closely related to the expansion of implant clinical practice has been the competitive technical development and marketing activities of the manufacturers of implant system components, instruments and devices. While these products are acknowledged essentials to implant dentistry expansion, the intent of this glossary has been to minimize the emphasis on commercial hardware technology and terminology, rather focusing on collaborative science and art as the basis for implant therapy advancement.

The expertise and dedication of the members of the Editorial Board who have authored this first glossary edition represent the essential disciplines comprising the broad spectrum of implant dentistry. To the following contributors, I extend my heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation for their willingness to participate, cooperation and especially their acknowledged expertise: Prof. Dr. Daniel Buser, Dr. Nina Broggini, Dr. Karl Dula, Prof. Dr. Erik Hjorting-Hansen, Prof. Dr. Will Giannobile, Dr. Joni Cirelli, Prof. Dr. Lily Garcia, Dr. Roy Yanase, Prof. Dr. David Cochran, Dr. Ronald Jung and Prof. Dr. Thomas Taylor. In addition, Drs. Peter C. O’Brien and Thomas G. Wilson, Jr. have imparted substantive contributions to the glossary in support of the co-authors.

Without the profound interest and support of the International Team for Implantology, this glossary effort could not have gone forward.

A work of this complexity and magnitude must involve the collaboration of capable support personnel. Ms. Ute Drewes has contributed her artistic skills to the creation of adjunctive illustrations. The daily tasks of compiling and editing database input have been timely and extraordinarily accomplished by Ms. Libby Floyd Davis (USA) and Ms. Änne Klebba (Germany). Ms. Sandra Fielitz provided secretarial support in Berlin and efficiently completed the laborious task of preparing the initial database from which the included terms were selected. The final review, coordination and editing of terms was superbly accomplished by Ms. Lisa Bywaters, Senior Editor, and her staff at Quintessence Publishing, Chicago. This publication was conceived and very ably managed by Mr. Alexander Ammann who has been the Project Director. Mr. Bernd Burkart coordinated and directed all production activities. The dedication, perseverance, and cooperation of the entire Quintessenz Publishing Company staff have been exemplary.

It is anticipated that the Glossary of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants could become a practical education and communicative tool for those students and practitioners who have or will have an interest in implant dentistry. This print resource should be considered a work in progress. New knowledge will continue to emerge and with it the need for additional terms, revision of those existing and deletion of the redundant or obsolete.


William R. Laney