VOLUME 10 , ISSUE 4 ( October-December, 2020 ) > List of Articles
Deepak Sharma, Pravesh Jhingta, Shalu Chandna Bathla
Citation Information : Sharma D, Jhingta P, Bathla SC. Challenges in Dental Implant Identification and Need of Universal Dental Implant Identification, Numbering, and Nomenclature System. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2020; 10 (4):146-150.
DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10019-1291
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Published Online: 01-12-2020
Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2020; The Author(s).
Aim: As the number of dental implant patients and implant practitioners is increasing worldwide, implant(s) identification poses a daunting task in absence of detailed records. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to survey the dental implant practitioners for methods used by them for record-keeping of dental implants and means of implant identification in cases where treatment records are inadequate. A unique Sharma Jhingta Implant identification, numbering, and nomenclature system is proposed to address the need for a universal implant documentation system. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was planned. An electronic Google survey form was sent to 150 dentists with questions pertaining to study objectives. The questionnaire had two sections: the first section captured the demographic details of the respondents and the second section had questions on implant systems. It consisted of both open-ended and close-ended questions. Descriptive analysis was done and percentages were calculated for the responses. Results: Responses of 104 implantologists were analyzed. Adin, Nobel Biocare, and Osstem were commonly used implant systems and the majority of clinicians were still using conventional methods of record-keeping namely patient treatment card and clinic record register (77.3% and 86.7%, respectively). Implantologists were facing difficulties in implant identification in previously treated patients and were either using their clinical judgment (72%) or professional colleagues’ opinion to identify implants. Implant identification software and apps were not used commonly by respondents. Conclusion: There is a need for a universally accepted standardized method of implant identification numbering and nomenclature. Sharma Jhingta IINN system is an effective and easy to learn method for implant documentation.