Occlusal considerations in implantology: good occlusal practice in implantology.

UNLABELLED This article is concerned with implants that are being used for fixed crown and bridgework rather than removable prostheses. The huge increase in the provision of implants over the past two decades is set to continue. Most of the research is related to avoiding failures in implants. This research, in the main, has concentrated on the essential interface between the artificial implant and living bone: osseointegration. The other interface, which is worthy of our full attention, is the one between the implant-supported crown and the antagonist tooth: the occlusion. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This article aims to provide the basis for guidelines for good occlusal practice in implantology. It will consider these under two headings: those which could be considered as basic occlusal principles; and those occlusal considerations that are specific to implants.