Cluster Failure and Humility — Is there any way to hone in on implant failure, to know the when and why? We know overall failure rates are reported between 2–5% in broad population longitudinal data. With relatively few failures, one might think we could identify the specific factor(s) causing the lack or loss of osseointegration…

Featuring the Failure of Complexity — What could go wrong? Implants are amazing! Dental prosthetic solutions are engineered by geniuses with enormous resources and delivered by specialists with unparalleled training and experience. So what could go wrong? A lot, sadly. One of the first concepts learned in prosthodontic residency is that every step in a process…

Also Expressed vs. Revealed Preferences and Why Expensive Wine Tastes Better — As conscientious clinicians, we spend a good deal of time researching and considering the best treatment options for our patients. At the risk of sounding schmaltzy, I will say that I love my patients. I will only what is good for them. It is a noble thing that we work…

Featuring the MOST Important Question to Ask in Every Decision — Is this patient healthy enough for dental implant treatment? This question is similar and related to our recent post regarding implant treatment and patient age. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem quite as macabre in asking about disease as about age. Here the concern is less “will this patient die before reaping…

Ageism, Autonomy, and Ethics — Is this patient too old to get dental implant treatment? Even asking the question seems vaguely morbid. It seems like we’re saying: “This patient is likely to die soon, and I will feel like a money hungry monster if I charge them my standard fee for treatment. Why put them through any procedure when they are so very, very old…

Would 6 implants be better than 4? Featuring prospect theory and the precautionary principle. — More is better, right? It’s a good question. It goes to prudence and clinical judgment. We know we need 4 implants to support an immediately loaded full arch of fixed teeth (full mouth dental implants, all on four, whatever we’re calling it this week), so even if the implants are 95–99% successful, why not…