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Objective: To describe the dental implant practice profile of Hong Kong general dental practitioners in 2008 and the trend since 2004., Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 630 dentists through systematic sampling of registered dentists., Results: A total of 290 completed questionnaires were returned (response rate, 53%). Implant dentistry was practiced by 61% of the respondents. The survey also revealed that 84% of those respondents who own their private practice performed implant dentistry. About half of the dentists (49%) who performed implant dentistry placed or restored 5 or more implants per quarter. Among those dentists not practicing implant dentistry, the majority (85%) were interested in attending continuing education courses in dental implantology., Conclusion: There has been a significant increase in the number of general dental practitioners practicing implant dentistry in Hong Kong since 2004. By 2008, more than half of the general dental practitioners (61%) are practicing implant dentistry. Most of them not practicing implant dentistry expressed a desire to learn more about dental implants. This survey revealed a high demand for continuing professional development in implant dentistry in Hong Kong.

The soft tissue profile created around a conventional healing abutment may be inadequate to accommodate an anatomically shaped abutment that is larger than a standard machined abutment. This causes difficulties in its insertion and subsequent impression-making and provisional restoration fabrication. This article presents a simple technique to overcome these problems.

Clinicians often encounter difficulties with connecting natural teeth and osseointegrated implants. A new clinical technique with laboratory procedures are presented. The technique involves cementation of a two-part prosthesis over natural teeth and customized implant gold cylinders. This method achieved a passive-fit fixed bridge with retrievability maintained.