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Minimally invasive implantology using reduced implant dimensions as well as virtual treatment planning and CAD/CAM stereolithographic templates has gained popularity in recent years. The aim of the present investigation was to analyze prevailing trends in clinical utilization of these graftless therapeutic options.A total of 12.865 dental implants were placed in 5.365 patients at the Academy for Oral Implantology in Vienna, of which 5.5% were short (length 10 mm), 19.5% narrow (diameter 3.75 mm) and 10.6% template-guided. Application trends were analyzed using linear regression and compared between jaw location and dentition subgroups.Use of short implants and guided surgery increased significantly in all subgroups. Narrow-diameter implants were most frequent in single-tooth gaps (24.1%), however, upward trends could only be observed in partially and completely edentulous patients. Short implants were predominantly used in the mandible (9.9% vs. 2.5%, P 0.001) while guided surgery was favored in the maxilla (14.2% vs. 5.4%, P 0.001).Short implants (most frequent in partial edentulism) and guided implant surgery (most frequent in complete edentulism) represent uprising and promising surgical approaches to avoid patient morbidity associated with bone graft surgery.

Purpose: To assess the methodologic quality of systematic reviews on the effect of platform switching upon peri-implant marginal bone loss. Materials and Methods: An electronic literature search of several databases was conducted by two reviewers. Articles were considered for quality assessment if they met the following inclusion criterion: systematic reviews that aimed at investigating the effect of platform switching/mismatch on marginal bone levels around dental implants. Two independent examiners evaluated the review publications using two quality-ranking scales (assessment of multiple systematic reviews [AMSTAR] and Glenny checklist). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the results, and Cohen’s kappa coefficients were calculated to appraise interrater agreement of each checklist. Results: Overall, five systematic reviews (including three of them with meta-analysis) were evaluated. The mean AMSTAR score ± standard deviation was 8.4 ± 2.6 (range, 4 to 11), and the mean Glenny score was 10.8 ± 2.9 (range, 6 to 14), showing high statistical correlation (rs = 0.98, P = .005). Cohen interexaminer test yielded values of κ = 0.88 and κ = 0.86 for the AMSTAR and Glenny checklist, respectively. The AMSTAR items rated positive in 78%, whereas 18% met the criteria for “no” and 4% were “not applicable.” Only one review article met all criteria. Items of the Glenny checklist rated positive in 73% and negative in 27%. All but one study with the lowest quality scores (finding no difference) demonstrated a clinical benefit of implant platform switching in preserving the peri-implant marginal bone loss. Conclusion: According to the quality-ranking scales appraised, substantial methodologic variability was found in systematic assessment of benefits with the platform switching concept to preserve peri-implant bone level. High-quality systematic reviews, however, generally favored platform switching over platform matching.

Purpose: To quantify the reliability of a new drilling system for implant osteotomy characterized by an eccentric sensor that automatically stops the drill upon contact with soft tissue. This safety mechanism aims to minimize surgical trauma to nerves, vessels, and the maxillary sinus mucosa. The benefits of the eccentric sensor position on planar and angulated surfaces were tested in vitro. Materials and Methods: Predicted drill protrusion after auto-stop was validated against experiments on four human cadaver mandibles (30 osteotomies with varying angles). Measurement of the drill’s exit holes allowed calculation of the amount of drill protrusion, and postoperative computed tomographic scans of the mandibles were acquired to determine the drill’s exit angles. Results: Mean drill protrusion into human jawbone was 0.46 ± 0.26 mm and differed significantly from expected drill protrusion, which was based on mathematical modeling, of 0.64 ± 0.3 mm. Detection of bone passage on angulated walls was seen up to 71 degrees. A central sensor position, by contrast, may result in significantly greater drill protrusion into soft tissue (mean difference: 0.55 ± 0.49 mm) that increases with the drill’s exit angle (r = 0.93). Conclusion: Auto-stop drills may significantly enhance safety for the patient during osteotomy. The benefits of eccentric sensor positioning were particularly apparent when applied on angulated surfaces, whereas drill angulation was not found to influence this safety mechanism.

Discrimination between ongoing and solved research questions may help to distinguish established dogmas from evidence-based implant dentistry.The purpose of this study was to investigate topics of interest in the field of oral implant science and evolving thematic trends in clinical studies during the last decade.Electronic and manual searches of English literature were performed to identify clinical studies on oral implants. Out of 15,695 publications screened, 2,875 clinical investigations were included.Among the most prevalent topics were immediate loading (14.3%), bone substitutes (11.6%), lateral sinus grafting (10.7%), implant overdentures (10.5%), single-tooth implant crowns (8.8%), cross-arch implant bridges (8.0%), immediate implant placement (7.5%), implant surfaces (7.0%), simultaneous implant placement and augmentation (6.4%) as well as guided bone regeneration (5.3%). Significant increase of scientific interest was seen in immediate loading (+6.3%, p .001), platform switching (+2.9%, p 0.001), lateral sinus grafting (+2.3%, p = .024), flapless implant surgery (+2.2%, p 0.001), and guided implant surgery (+1.9%, p = .011), while research on implant overdentures (-6.6%, p = .033) and tooth-to-implant connection (-2.5%, p = .010) was on the decline.Literature coverage, since the beginning of the 21st century, has seen greater focus on surgical topics compared to prosthodontic issues (p = .005) while only few topics experienced decrease of interest indicating scientific consensus.

Prosthodontically driven biomechanical considerations are essential for longterm successful outcomes in dental implant therapy. Correct protocols seek to preclude potential consequences associated with functional and parafunctional occlusal overload such as screw loosening, component fracture, compromised marginal bone maintenance, and the integrity of the induced osseointegration response. Other concerns also need to be addressed, more especially when other implants are selected, for example: bridge insertion torque (BIT) in cases of immediate loading, cantilever length-anteroposterior spread ratio (CL-AP), overall crown-to-implant ratio (oCIR), total bone-to-implant surface area (tBICA), and the status of the opposing dentition. In spite of promising clinical results, evidence-based clinical protocols demand that such biomechanical limits still need to be determined.

To compare five different implant treatment protocols in the anterior maxilla, including immediate, early, and delayed implant placement, as well as implant placement in conjunction with simultaneous guided bone regeneration and implant placement 3 months following horizontal autologous bone block grafting.Aesthetic indices used included the Pink Esthetic Score (PES), Papilla Index (PI), Subjective Esthetic Score (SES), and White Esthetic Score (WES). Subjective evaluation of implant aesthetics was performed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). The VAS consisted of a 10 cm-long line representing the degree of discontent (0%) or satisfaction (100%).A total of 153 implants in 153 patients (80 women, 73 men) were evaluated after a mean follow-up of 4.5 ± 2.9 years. Mean peri-implant bone loss was 1.6 ± 0.9 mm and not affected by treatment protocol, time after implant placement, or crown length. Papilla presence, by contrast, differed significantly between the protocols: Papilla formation was more pronounced following delayed and immediate implant placement. No statistical significance was found among treatment modalities with regard to PES, SES, or WES. Longer crowns were associated with lower PES and PI ratings and correlated with greater midfacial recession. SES was also influenced by time after implant placement and keratinized mucosa. Patient satisfaction differed significantly among treatment protocols, favoring immediate implant placement. Agreement between objective and subjective aesthetic ratings was low.The present study suggests that comparable clinical, radiological, and aesthetic results can be achieved with all treatment protocols. Gingival recession, however, seems to occur in the long term irrespective of the technique used.

Patients with hopeless residual dentition due to advanced periodontal disease or failing fixed or removable partial dentures frequently present with difficulties and concerns regarding the provisional phase until their final prosthetic restoration. As removable dentures are generally not preferred – not even as a provisional – the transition to a fixed rehabilitation should be quick, aesthetically appealing and restoring function in terms of chewing as well as phonetics. The immediate All-on-4® implant treatment concept at the Academy for Oral Implantology in Vienna (Austria) relies on implant placement at the day of tooth extraction and immediate fixed restoration within a few hours. The key factor is the placement of angulated implants (to avoid vital anatomic structures as well as invasive bone grafting procedures) that allows for immediate occlusal loading due to the increased anchorage in the native jawbone. Highly aesthetic provisional implant bridges can thus be provided at the day of surgery.

Objectives To investigate the impact of meta-analytic evidence in scientific literature on clinical decision making in the field of oral implantology. Methods A Delphi opinion poll was performed at the meeting of the “Next Generation” Committees of the Austrian, German and Swiss Societies for Implantology (OGI, DGI and SGI). First, the experts gave their opinion on 20 questions regarding routine implant treatment (uninformed decisions), then they were confronted with up-to-date Level I evidence from scientific literature on these topics and again asked to give their opinion (informed decisions) as well as to rate the available evidence as satisfactory or insufficient. Topics involved surgical issues, such as immediate implant placement, flapless surgery, tilted and short implants and bone substitute materials, as well as opinions on prosthodontic paradigms, such as immediate loading, abutment materials and platform switching. Results Compared to their uninformed decisions prior to confrontation with recent scientific literature, on average, 37% of experts (range: 15–50%) changed their opinion on the topic. When originally favoring one treatment alternative, less than half were still convinced after review of meta-analytic evidence. Discrepancy between uninformed and informed decisions was significantly associated with insufficient evidence (P = 0.014, 49% change of opinion vs. 26% on topics rated as sufficiently backed with evidence). Agreement regarding strength of evidence could be reached for eight topics (40%), in three issues toward sufficiency and in five issues toward lack of evidence. Conclusion Confrontation with literature results significantly changes clinical decisions of implantologists, particularly in cases of ambiguous or lacking meta-analytic evidence.

Flapless implant placement using surgical templates may guarantee predictable and esthetic results provided that preplanned implant positions are transfered precisely into surgical reality.The study aims to investigate the effect of three-dimensional accuracy in guided implant surgery on the esthetic outcome of single-tooth implants in the anterior maxilla.Single-tooth implants for delayed replacement of upper incisors were inserted in 27 patients using stereolithographic templates. Superimposition of postoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans allowed assessment of positional inaccuracy at the implant shoulder and apex, as well as angular deviation. Objective evaluation of implant esthetics was performed after a mean follow-up of 2.3 years using the Pink Esthetic Score (PES).Mean deviation between planned and actual implant position was 0.84 mm at the implant shoulder and significantly correlated to average PES of 12 (p = .031). Inaccuracy toward the buccal side was most frequent (70%). Deviations ≥ 0.8 mm resulted in significantly worse implant esthetics (median PES: 9.5, interquartile range [IQR]: 8-11) compared with more accurate implant positions (median PES: 13, IQR: 12-13, p = .039).Positional inaccuracy is low in guided implant surgery, but may however significantly compromise implant esthetics in the anterior maxilla.

To test patient- and sinus-related risk factors for an association with intraoperative membrane perforation and postoperative complications after sinus floor augmentation surgery.Sinus floor elevation procedures using a lateral approach were retrospectively analyzed for patients' medical history and sinus anatomy on computed tomographic scans. Complications per sinus after membrane elevation and augmentation using a mixture of autologous bone and deproteinized bovine bone substitute (Bio-Oss) were recorded. Logic regression (adjusted using the generalized estimation equation approach) was performed to analyze the influence of patient age, gender, smoking habits, sinus septa, residual bone height, and mesiodistal elevation width.Of 407 sinus grafts in 300 patients (mean age, 56 yr), perforation of the Schneiderian membrane occurred in 35 sinuses (8.6%) and was significantly associated to the presence of sinus septa (odds ratio [OR] = 4.8; P = .002) and decreased residual bone height (OR = 0.01; P.001). Smoking increased the risk of membrane perforation (OR = 4.8; P = .002), sinusitis (OR = 12.3; P.001), and wound dehiscence (OR = 16.1; P = .005). Cases of sinus membrane perforation had higher odds for postoperative sinusitis (OR = 10.5; P.001). The probability of wound dehiscence increased with the size of the elevated area (OR = 3; P.001).The results of the study suggest that the presence of sinus septa and residual bone height less than 3.5 mm are the main risk factors increasing sinus membrane perforation rates. There was a higher prevalence for sinusitis in cases of membrane perforation (31.4%) despite intraoperative closure with resorbable membranes (Bio-Guide). Smokers generally exhibited greater chances for complications.

To evaluate patient satisfaction, oral health-related quality of life, and patients' preferences towards minimally invasive treatment options for graftless rehabilitation of complete edentulism by means of dental implants.A MEDLINE search of literature in the English language up to the year 2013 was performed to summarise current evidence from the patient's perspective. The final selection included 37 studies reporting on minimally invasive implant treatment of 648 edentulous maxillae and 791 edentulous mandibles in 1328 patients, via a total of 5766 implants.Patient satisfaction averaged 91% with flapless implant placement (range: 77 to 100%), 89% with short implants, 87% with narrow-diameter implants (range: 80 to 93%), 90% with a reduced number of implants (range: 77 to 100%), 94% with tilted implant placement (range: 58 to 100%), and 83% with zygomatic fixtures (range: 50 to 97%). Indirect comparison yielded patient preference towards tilted implant placement compared to a reduced number of implants (P = 0.036), as well as to zygomatic implants (P = 0.001).While little evidence on patients' preferences towards minimally invasive treatment alternatives vs. bone augmentation surgery could be identified from within-study comparison, it may be concluded that patient satisfaction with graftless solutions for implant rehabilitation of completely edentulous jaws is generally high. Comparative effectiveness research is needed to substantiate their positive appeal to potential implant patients and possible reduction of the indication span for invasive bone graft surgery.

The first year of prosthetic loading is crucial to peri-implant bone levels; however, contributing factors are yet barely understood.The purpose of the study is to investigate the influence of patient-, implant-, and prosthetic-related parameters on marginal bone resorption in partially edentulous patients within the first year of prosthetic loading.This retrospective multifactorial analysis involved the following influencing factors: patient gender and age, implant diameter, implant location and neck design, insertion torque, insertion depth, splinted versus single-tooth restorations, crown height space, and crown-to-implant ratio.Mean peri-implant bone resorption around 200 dental implants was 0.98 ± 0.76 mm and significantly correlated to higher implant insertion depth (p .001), whereas no association to prosthetic parameters could be observed.Within the limits of the present analysis, it can be concluded that apical implant positioning may constitute a relevant determinant of early peri-implant bone resorption.

The aim of this study is to assess the impact of insertion torque and implant neck design on peri-implant bone levels and gain insights into dynamic crestal tissue alterations by radiological, clinical, and biochemical examinations.In this prospective trial, a total of 84 implants (four implants in each patient) in the interforaminal region of 21 edentulous mandibles were randomly alternated according to a split-mouth design. Implant placement was performed using different insertion torques (≤20 Ncm vs50 Ncm). In each group, one machined and one anodized implant neck design (1.5 mm length) was used in the same jaw side. Evaluation of peri-implant tissues involved radiological, clinical examination and immunoassays for interleukin-1β.No significant influence of insertion torque or implant neck design on peri-implant bone level was found. Protein levels of interleukin-1β in the peri-implant crevicular fluid revealed no difference between both insertion torque groups and different neck designs.Interactive effects of insertion torque and neck surface modification may exist; however, no clinically significant differences in marginal bone resorption after 1 year could be observed in the edentulous anterior mandible.

Purpose To assess up-to-date expectations and preferences of patients seeking dental implants. Material and methods One hundred and fifty consecutive patients (66 male and 84 female interviewees) were asked to rank their concerns regarding implant therapy and answer a questionnaire on implant and bone graft surgery, cost and time considerations and second-opinion behaviour. Results Treatment predictability and avoidance of removable dentures were ranked high priority (compared with time and cost efficiency or avoidance of bone grafts). Patients' estimation of the 10-year implant success rate was 84%, and 59% of patients expected implants to last for a lifetime. Total treatment time was estimated to be 4 months on average, and only 12% would tolerate increased risk of implant failure for the sake of shortening treatment duration. 61% of interviewees accepted autologous bone grafts (the majority favouring the retromolar area), while only 23% were willing to undergo bone harvesting from the hip. 43% opted for bone substitute material to avoid donor site morbidity. 67% would accept the additional costs associated with computed tomography, software-based treatment planning and guided implant placement to avoid bone graft surgery. Motivation for second-opinion seeking was high (46–62%), especially in young and male patients. Conclusion Patient expectations on implant success and predictability are high compared with their reluctance towards treatment costs and duration. Acceptance of treatment morbidity is high among patients reporting low denture satisfaction; however, minimally invasive treatment alternatives are generally preferred.

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the functionality of fixed and removable partial dentures as test interventions in relation to variations in the opposing dentition and their prosthetic restoration. The abstracts identified in the respective databases were screened independently by two investigators. RCTs and uncontrolled studies were considered, provided the patients were included consecutively and the confounding variables were adequately monitored. Seventeen papers were included. The study and publication quality was assessed using a “biometric quality” tool showing an overall poor quality. The reported outcomes, such as survival rates, were in each case obtained from a single study. Two possible trends could be deduced for the endpoint longevity: (a) the first trend in favor of removable partial dentures, compared to fixed partial dentures, with a fully edentulous opposing arch fitted with a removable prosthesis; (b) the second trend in favor of implant-supported partial dentures, compared to conventionally fixed partial dentures, with natural opposing dentition or with a removable partial denture in the opposing arch. No evidence could be generated as to whether, and if so how, variations in the opposing dentition have a bearing on the decision to fit a partially edentulous arch with a fixed or removable partial denture.

Rehabilitation of the incomplete dentition by means of osseointegrated implants represents a highly predictable and widespread therapy. Advantages of oral implant treatment over conventional non-surgical prosthetic rehabilitation involve avoidance of removable dentures and tooth structure conservation of the remaining dentition. Implant placement necessitates sufficient bone quantity as well as bone quality, that may be compromised following tooth loss or trauma. Sufficient alveolar bone to host implants of 10 mm in length and 3-4 mm in diameter has been traditionally regarded as minimum requirements to allow bone-demanded implant placement. Three-dimensional bone morphology, however, may not permit favourable implant positioning. In the age of prosthetic-driven implant treatment, bone grafting procedures may be indicated not exclusively due to lack of bone volume, but to ensure favourable biomechanics and long-term esthetic outcome. A vast variety of treatment modalities have been suggested to increase alveolar bone volume and thus overcome the intrinsic limitations of oral implantology. Although success rates of various bone graft techniques are high, inherent disadvantages of augmentation procedures include prolonged treatment times, raised treatment costs and increased surgical invasion associated with patient morbidity and potential complications. Therefore, treatment tactics to obviate bone graft surgery are naturally preferred by both patients and surgeons. Nongrafting options, such as implants reduced in length and diameter or the use of computerguided implant surgery, may on the other hand carry the risk of lower predictability and reduced long-term success. To graft or not to graft? – that is the question clinicians are facing day-to-day in oral implant rehabilitation.

Background: Little is known about maxillary sinus compliance, i.e., the intrinsic potential of the sinus membrane to resume its homeostatic status after the surgical trauma caused by sinus floor elevation. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of maxillary sinus floor augmentation on sinus membrane thickness. Methods: Within-patient comparison of computed tomographic scans before bone grafting versus 4 to 6 months after bone grafting was performed. Changes in membrane thickness were evaluated in 65 maxillary sinus floor augmentation procedures via a lateral approach in 35 patients without clinical signs of sinus pathology at any time. Results: Sinus membrane thickness differed significantly before (0.8 – 1.2 mm) versus after (1.5 – 1.3 mm) augmentation surgery (P

To test the null hypothesis of no difference in failure rates of short (minimum length: 7 mm) and longer dental implants (≥ 10 mm), a meta-analysis was performed on prospective observational trials.A systematic electronic and hand search was performed to identify eligible studies. Having additional data supplied by the authors, 54 publications were included (19,083 implants).In case of mandibular implants, the null hypothesis of no impact of reduced implant length on failure within the first year of prosthetic loading could not be rejected. A significant impact of implant length could be substantiated for short machined implants in the anterior [odds ratio (OR) 5.4] and posterior maxilla (OR 3.4), while short rough-surfaced implants demonstrated increased failure rates in the anterior maxillary sites. No influence of implant diameter and denture type on the failure rate of short implants could be revealed.In areas of reduced alveolar bone height the use of short dental implants may reduce the need for invasive bone augmentation procedures.

compared with widespread investigations on dental implant survival and biologic parameters, patient-based outcomes of implant dentistry have been neglected for years and are now becoming more popular. The aim of this representative opinion poll was to assess the up-to-date patients' mindset on dental implants and draw comparisons with the results published in 2003.one thousand adults - representative for the Austrian population - were presented with a total of 16 questionnaire items regarding acceptance and subjectively perceived costs of dental implant treatment as well as patient satisfaction with implant-supported rehabilitation.the implant acceptance rate was 56%, while 23% of the interviewees decidedly rejected implant treatment (same rate as in 2003), especially those over 50 years of age. Only 5% had themselves undergone implant treatment and 22% reported to know someone fitted with implants. The estimated costs of implant treatment were significantly higher than those in 2003, and three-quarters felt that the prize was too high and that the sick fund or social security agencies should bear them. Satisfaction scores were significantly higher among interviewees wearing implant-supported rehabilitations compared with those with conventional fixed or removable dentures.little has changed in patients' attitude toward dental implants compared with the representative opinion poll in 2003. Neither implant acceptance nor implant prevalence in the Austrian population demonstrated upward trends. Professional public relations efforts are indicated to drop resentments and increase patient acceptance of dental implants as a treatment modality.

To evaluate a novel surgical technique for flapless transcrestal elevation of the maxillary sinus floor via surgical templates using gel pressure.Computed tomographic scans of fresh human cadaver maxillae and three-dimensional treatment planning software were used to design surgical templates. Access to the maxillary sinus was gained by guided transcrestal osteotomies to puncture the bony sinus floor. By injection of radiopaque gel, the maxillary sinus membrane was elevated to attain a postoperative bone height of 15 mm.The gel-pressure technique was performed in 10 atrophic maxillary sites with a mean residual bone height of the alveolar crest of 4.7 +/- 1.6 mm. The sinus membrane was successfully elevated in all sites without causing iatrogenic perforation (mean elevation height, 10.6 +/- 1.6 mm).The gel-pressure technique may provide a new option for minimally invasive transcrestal sinus surgery and may represent a safe method to increase bone volume in the atrophic posterior maxilla.

OBJECTIVES Perforation of the Schneiderian membrane (maxillary sinus mucosa) is a common complication of maxillary sinus graft procedures. Membrane perforation increases the chance of postoperative sinusitis and endangers graft as well as implant survival. The aim of the present study was to explore the mechanical properties of the Schneiderian membrane. MATERIAL AND METHODS Three test methods were performed on sinus specimen of 20 fresh human cadavers: one- and two-dimensional membrane elongation as far as perforation, as well as membrane detachment from the adherent bone. RESULTS Perforation of the Schneiderian membrane (mean thickness: 90 mum) occurred at a mean tension of 7.3 N/mm(2). The membrane could be stretched to 132.6% of its original size in one-dimensional elongation, and to 124.7% in two-dimensional elongation. Thicker membranes demonstrated significantly higher load limits (P

Purpose Rehabilitation of the incomplete dentition by means of osseointegrated dental implants represents a highly predictable and widespread therapy; however, little is known about potential risk factors that may impair long-term implant success. Methods From 2004 to 2012, a total of 13,147 implants were placed in 4,316 patients at the Academy for Oral Implantology in Vienna. The survival rates after 8 years of follow-up were computed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the impact of patient- and implant-related risk factors was assessed. Results Overall implant survival was 97% and was not associated with implant length (P=0.930), implant diameter (P=0.704), jaw location (P=0.545), implant position (P=0.450), local bone quality (P=0.398), previous bone augmentation surgery (P=0.617), or patient-related factors including osteoporosis (P=0.661), age (P=0.575), or diabetes mellitus (P=0.928). However, smoking increased the risk of implant failure by 3 folds (P

At the end of 2012 Professor Georg Watzek retired as head of the Department of Oral Surgery at the Bernhard Gottlieb School of Dentistry, Vienna Medical University. This gives the opportunity to look back on 36 years of publication history since his first research article was published in 1976. Professor Georg Watzek was affiliated to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Vienna Medical University, Austria, head: Univ. Prof. Dr. Siegfried Wunderer) from 1973 and published his first papers there. After his habilitation in 1980 he became head of the Department of Oral Surgery (University Dental Clinic, Vienna Medical University, Austria) and in 1987 head of the Dental Clinic. From 1983 to 1993 he was editor of the journal Stomatologie, president of the Austrian Society for Oral Surgery and Implantology (1983–2002) and president of the Austrian Dental Association (1989–1993). Professor Georg Watzek is an honorary member of the Hungarian Dental Association (1991) and the German and Czech Society for Implantology (2003). From 1994 to 1997 he was visiting professor at the University of Pennsylvania and in 2003 he served as president of the European Association for Osseointegration (EAO). He is a founding member of the scientific board of the Osteology Foundation in 2004 and became associate editor for the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants (JOMI) in 2006. This special issue of The International Journal of Stomatology and Occlusion Medicine gives a survey of all PubMed listed scientific articles published by Watzek and coworkers from 1976 to 2012 structured into four time periods. We hope you enjoy this 36th anniversary compilation of research on oral surgery and implantology in Vienna. J. Stomat. Occ. Med. (2013) 6:1 DOI 10.1007/s12548-013-0085-8