title: Current status of implant prosthetics in Japan: a survey among certified dental lab technicians.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are many implant cases in which dental technicians take initiative with regard to the design of implant prostheses, and to a certain extent, this area of care is one in which dentists do not necessarily play the leading role. Moreover, inadequate communication between dental technicians and dentists and insufficient instructions for technicians has been highlighted as issues in the past. The purpose of this questionnaire is to improve the quality of implant prostheses and thereby contribute to patient service by clarifying, among other aspects of treatment, problem areas and considerations in the fabrication of implant prostheses, conceptual-level knowledge, and awareness of prosthodontics on the part of the dentists in charge of treatment and methods for preventing prosthetic complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was given to 120 certified dental technicians. To facilitate coverage of a broad range of topics, we classified the survey content into the following four categories and included detailed questions for (1) the conditions under which implant technicians work, (2) implant fixed prostheses, (3) implant overdentures, and (4) prosthetic complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 120 surveys sent, 74 technicians responded resulting in a response rate of 61.6%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This survey served to clarify the current state of implant prosthodontics, issues, and considerations in the fabrication of implant prostheses, and the state of prosthetic complications and preventive initiatives, all from a laboratory perspective. The results of this survey suggested that, to fabricate prostheses with a high level of predictability, functional utility, and aesthetic satisfaction, it is necessary to reaffirm the importance for dentists to increase their prosthetic knowledge and work together with dental technicians to develop comprehensive treatment plans, implement an organized approach to prosthesis design, and accomplish occlusal reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Implant Dentistry, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Dental Hospital, 1-8-13 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8310, Japan. hagiwara.yoshiyuki@nihon-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hagiwara
authors.affiliation: Implant Dentistry, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Dental Hospital, 1-8-13 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8310, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Narita
authors.affiliation: Implant Dentistry, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Dental Hospital, 1-8-13 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8310, Japan.
authors.forename: Yohei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shioda
authors.affiliation: Implant Dentistry, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Dental Hospital, 1-8-13 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8310, Japan.
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iwasaki
authors.affiliation: Implant Dentistry, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Dental Hospital, 1-8-13 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8310, Japan.
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.affiliation: Implant Dentistry, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Dental Hospital, 1-8-13 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8310, Japan.
authors.forename: Shunsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Namaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Specialties, Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MINN, 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Salinas
keywords: Certified dental technicians; Implant prosthesis; Prosthetic complications; Questionnaire; Survey