Dental implant is a new technique to replace dents that fall out or fill a hole that has no dental root. With this technique, dents will not have to be taken off like artificial dents as they have root that is implanted in the bone. “There are two stages of implant, first is the implant itself, and second is the installation of false dents after the implant is firm in the patient's jawbone,†said Dr. Munakhir Mudjosemedi, the Director of Prof. Soedomo Dental and Oral Hospital, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in a seminar on Temporo Mandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder, Tuesday (12/01/10) at the Faculty.
Until now, implant centre at the Prof. Soedomo Hospital has done work on some 133 patients. In terms of clinical observation, there were 7 failures (5.2%), mostly caused by age and post-implant treatment. “We need to find a solution to reach zero failure,†said Munakhir.
In order to increase implant skills, the Hospital has established cooperation with Trinon institution in Germany. Research on implant excellence has also been done by the Faculty's researchers. The Hospital further offers short course for dentists who plan to have in-depth skills in implant. This course is separated between those for foreign and local participants.
In that occasion, Munakhir also reported the development of services given to patients at the Hospital since its establishment four years ago. The number of patients has increased. Currently, average number of visit per month is 3,000 and patients are treated by doctor candidates, specialists, and dentists of the Hospital.
To increase the number of patients, the Hospital has formed cooperation with some groups such as the GMC, Stewardess School in Yogyakarta and some companies. In addition, to give better and efficient service, computerised system has been developed beginning from registration, medical record and payment. The system is expected to go operational by March 2010.
Presenting TMJ disorder in the seminar, drg. Haryo M. Dipoyono, said that TMJ is characterised by pain when yawning, talking, chewing, joint producing noises, stiffness, headache, facial pain and occlusion when chewing. Due to the complexities of the causes, according to Haryo, a way to resolve is to test the joint surface, bilamer area, translation and traction in capsules and ligaments, functional testing of chewing muscles, moving techniques and dynamic testing.