Following a rigid plan and treatment protocol will maximize dental implant success--Part I.

A properly established protocol ensures success when providing implant therapy for the dental patient. The basis for achieving doctor/patient objectives emphasizes esthetics, phonetics, function, longevity and maintainability. Too often patients are presented with completed prosthetics without prior consideration of their expectations. This article identifies and describes each phase of pre- and post-surgical planning and the role of each implant team member. The goal of this article is to illustrate the value of utilizing specific treatment protocols to guide the restoring dentist, surgeon, technician and patient toward predictable results while minimizing uncertainties.