title: Dental Implants. Part I: Biological basis, implant types, and the peri-implant sulcus.
abstract: Dental implantology is a rapidly advancing area of dentistry providing a number of alternative treatment possibilities for patients with partially or fully edentulous mouths. The following article is the first in a series of three dealing with various aspects of dental implantology, with a particular emphasis on those areas related to field of periodontology. In this paper we shall consider the biological basis of dental implants, different implant systems, and the peri-implant sulcus. Forthcoming articles will cover the diagnosis and treatment of peri-implantitis and failing implants, guided bone regeneration around implants, immediate implant placement, the placement of implants in the posterior maxillae, and implant maintenance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Danesh-Meyer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D017886:Durapatite; D004846:Epithelial Attachment; D006801:Humans; D016348:Osseointegration; D010519:Periodontium; D014025:Titanium
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D017886:Durapatite; D014025:Titanium