This is NOT an online meeting

Hello Brighton Study Club Members,

I kindly invite you all to attend our second meeting for 2022 with Dr Terry Walton as our guest speaker.

The evening will be held at Sandringham Yacht Club. Due to changes at SYC, depending on the numbers of ITI Brighton Study Club members attending, we may not be able to host additional guest, both ITI members and non-members, though I am happy to start a waiting list.

Please arrive at 6:30 for a 7:00 start.

TOPIC - Has the evolution of the implant-abutment interface improved long-term clinical outcomes? 

The implant-abutment interface is a critical transition zone that has received extensive research attention in an effort to improve joint stability, minimize pathophysiologic osseous changes and maintain soft tissue levels and aesthetic outcomes. The presence or absence of bacteria in the implant-abutment transition zone – the so-called microgap – has been a particularly hotly debated aspect with much effort devoted to supposedly eliminating, or at least minimising, this source of bacterial contamination. 

Specifically, changes in implant-abutment interface design involved variations in the level of transition from the implant to the abutment or restoration (bone-level design vs soft-tissue level design); geometry of the implant-abutment connection (internal vs. external); a smooth polished collar or textured implant surface up to the implant-abutment interface; modified micro-roughness of implant surfaces adjacent to the interface; platform switch; microgrooves; material composition of abutment and restoration; and method of abutment/prosthesis retention (cement- vs screw-retained). 

But have these developments significantly improved long-term clinical outcomes, especially from the patients’ perspective, and who is driving them – the patient, the dentist or big business? This presentation will present data that questions the associated science, especially related to assessment of marginal bone levels, and identifies several unintended consequences.

Dr Terry Walton AM, BDS (Syd), MDSc,(Syd) MS (Mich), FRACDS, FICD

Dr Terry Walton graduated Bachelor of Dental Surgery and Master of Dental Science from the University of Sydney in 1974 and 1979 respectively; Master of Science (Prosthodontics) from the University of Michigan in 1981and Doctor of Dental Science from the University of Sydney in 2013. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr Walton has been in Specialist Prosthodontist practice in Sydney since 1983 and holds the title of Professor Affiliate in Clinical Dentistry at the University of Sydney. He is a member of many Australian and International dental organisations and was the Co-President of the International College of Prosthodontists during 2000 and 2001. Dr Walton has been involved in practice-based clinical research into the long-term outcome and patient evaluation of tooth and implant-supported dental prostheses. 

RSVP by Monday the 15^th of August 2022 via the ITI website.

I look forward to seeing you all for our second meeting of the year.

Kind regards,

Tennent and Gabriel