Connecting Teeth to Implants: Risky Proposition or Predictable Solution?

While a natural tooth has a certain degree of mobility thanks to the periodontal ligament, implants, by definition, are ankylosed to the bone. Is it therefore possible to reconcile these two realities by combining them in a single fixed prosthetic structure or should we avoid it all costs? This lecture will give the scientific background to explain why this connection can be considered safe. At the same time, it will address the clinical and technical challenges when doing so, illustrating long-term outcomes of the different solutions employed.

1. Why it is possible to connect natural teeth to implants?
2. Which are the possible technical solutions to connect teeth and implants?
3. Which are the potential complications and causes of failure of these solutions.

Presenters

Stefano Gracis, DMD

Dr. Gracis received his degrees from the University of Pennsylvania in 1986, University of Pavia in 1987 and the University of Washington in 1990. He works in Milan in private practice limiting his activity to prosthodontics and restorative dentistry. He is the Past President of the European Academy of Esthetic Dentistry and of the Italian Academy of Prosthetic Dentistry. Dr. Gracis also has served on the editorial boards of the International Journal of Prosthodontics and the International Journal of Esthetic Dentistry.

Frank Spear, DDS, MSD

Dr. Spear earned his dental degree from the University of Washington in 1979, and an MSD in periodontal prosthodontics in 1982, also from the University of Washington.

Dr. Spear has been recognized by numerous associations for his contributions to dentistry. In 1993, he was awarded the Christensen Award for Excellence in Restorative Education from the Chicago Dental Society. In 1995, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry presented him with a special award for having advanced the Art and Science of cosmetic dentistry in the United States. In 1996, he received the Saul Schluger Memorial Award for Excellence in Diagnosis and Treatment Planning from the Seattle Study Club. In 2003 he and colleague Vincent G. Kokich were awarded the first ever Presidents Award for excellence in education from the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. He also earned the 2004 Distinguished Alumnus Award from Pacific Lutheran University his undergraduate Alma Mater. And in 2013 was named Distinguished Alumnus for the University of Washington School of Dentistry. In 2018 he received the first ever Charles Pincus - Ronald Goldstein Lifetime Achievement Award in Esthetic Dentistry from the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. In 2019 he received the Distinguished lecturer award from the Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics. In 2023 he was awarded the American Prosthodontic Society Gold Medallion Award for his influence on the profession of Prosthodontics.

He belongs to multiple dental organizations and is a past President of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry.