CDE1916 - Dental Implant Maintenance: Navigating Conflicting Advice Through Interactive, In-Person Learning

Course Description

Confused about dental implant maintenance? Me too… 

The dental implant industry is growing rapidly, and advancements in technology and science are outpacing clinicians' ability to keep up. What we were taught about implant maintenance in school varies by the year we graduated and may no longer reflect the current standard of care. 

Conflicting messages can be frustrating to dental teams. The science of implantology is industry- and technology-driven; the disciplines of surgical placement, restorative, and hygiene maintenance do not communicate well with one another.  Prevention of Per-Implant disease is shifting from being biofilm-centric to a focus on the oral-systemic link. 

To open a dialogue, we encourage the restorative dentists to attend this class with their hygiene teams. This class, taught from a historical perspective, will review changing trends in dental maintenance as they relate to biocompatibility, trauma, corrosion, dysbiosis, and control of inflammation.

Learner Outcomes

Upon course completion, the participant will:

• Describe at least three recent advances in dental implant manufacturing and explain how these changes may improve osseointegration.
• Compare current evidence-based approaches for maintaining healthy dental implants and differentiate them from previously accepted maintenance protocols.
• Differentiate the clinical management strategies for peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis based on current evidence and treatment recommendations.
• Identify at least four patient home care practices or products that may contribute to peri-implant mucositis, dysbiosis, corrosion, or implant failure.
• Recommend evidence-based, biocompatible home care protocols that promote long-term peri-implant health and minimize the risk of implant complications.
• Select appropriate dental hygiene instruments and adjunctive medicaments for implant maintenance while explaining how improper tools or protocols may contribute to implant surface trauma, corrosion, dysbiosis, and implant failure.
• Define metallosis and recognize its clinical signs, etiologic factors, and potential impact on peri-implant tissues.
• Explain the relationship between metallosis and peri-implant dysbiosis and discuss how this interaction may influence implant health and long-term treatment outcomes.

Notes

Presenter

Lynn Pencek, RDH, MS

Lynn Pencek is a distinguished leader in the dental hygiene community for dental implant education, blending industry expertise with clinical experience. As a former member of the Nobel Biocare team, she played a pivotal role in helping dental practices integrate new technology and streamline workflows for optimal implant treatment. Her expertise spans surgical assisting, clinical workflows, digital case planning for guided surgery, account and inventory management, marketing, and patient education for case acceptance.  Driven by a deep passion for a better understanding of implant care and maintenance, Lynn founded Practice at Your Best, LLC, to address the gaps in education and training for implant surgery, restorative dentistry, and dental hygiene maintenance. Through her company, she empowers professionals with essential insights, bridging the disconnect between dental hygiene education and the industry of dental implant care.  Lynn started her clinical career as a graduate of Broome County Community College Department of Dental Hygiene. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson University’s Department of Dental Hygiene and received her Master of Science from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.  Lynn has held Dental Hygiene faculty appointments at Thomas Jefferson University and the Community College of Philadelphia. She has served as a Corporate Council member for Dimensions in Dental Hygiene, representing Nobel Biocare and Orascoptic. Lynn Holds an Advanced Certificate with the Association of Dental Implant Auxiliaries.  As a past president of the Philadelphia Dental Hygiene Society and a ten-year attendee of Career Fusion, Lynn has spent her career helping dental professionals explore options for having their best careers.