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6 SCIENCE | CLINICAL RESEARCH on the All-on-4 concept in Valencia using CAMLOG ® Vario SR abutments. According to the preliminary results, the implant survival rate is very good, but according to Balshi, a smaller abutment height could simplify clinical handling depending on the initial situation. Prior to the restoration of edentulous jaws, Dr. Ilaria Franchini (Stuttgart, Germany and Milan, Italy) carefully analyzes the anatomical, functional, esthetic and general clinical factors. Under favorable conditions, restorations with up to 8 permanent implants are performed, in the case of reduced bone availability or unfavorable medical conditions, Franchini prefers concepts with angled or short implants. Canadian dentist Dr. Marcus Fecteau (Jonquiere, Canada) lives in a region with a high number of edentulous patients. According to his extensive experience, long-term edentulous patients used to removable dentures are generally satisfied with simple restorations in terms of implants. In contrast, patients with late tooth loss due to periodontal problems, prefer permanent solutions. Fecteau showed a patient example he solved with CAMLOG ® Guide and CAMLOG ® Vario SR abutments. Surgery lasted three hours and the patient already had a functioning and esthetic restoration four months after starting treatment. In Fecteau's estimation, the protocol will be used very frequently in future in the dental practice. In line with the topic, Professor Carlo Maiorana (Milan, Italy) presented the results of a clinical on the guided restoration of edentulous jaws with CAMLOG ® Guide. The average deviations between the actual positions and those planned, were approximately 0.6 mm (coronal and apical) and 2.4 degrees in terms of angle deviation, and thus around 50 percent lower than the values quoted in the literature. Maiorana emphasized, that computer-supported immediate restorations with flapless implantation mainly provide relief for patients, and to a lesser degree for the clinician. He mentioned dentist phobia, gag reflex or lack of time as important indications. Dr. Sebastian Kühl (University of Basel, Switzerland) compared the position- related accuracy of printed and lab- based templates in vitro. The printed templates prepared from matched data sets from DVT and surface scans showed significantly greater precision for mesial- distal, apical and vertical positions than the lab-based templates. This could possibly be due to the higher number of reference points on the computer image and the high precision of industrially manufactured templates. According to Kühl, the results still need to be confirmed in clinical studies. Do short implants replace augmentation? The current status of research into short implants was summarized by the expert on prosthetics, Professor Hans- Peter Weber (Tufts University, Boston, USA), who originates from Switzerland. Numerous current studies and systematic reviews of the literature show that implants of less than 8 mm in length have a good prognosis [16], also in augmented bone [17]. However, as prosthetic factors are as yet insufficiently documented, current thinking is to splint short implants. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Professor Robert Sader (University of Frankfurt, Germany) also sees good prospects for success for short implants. When using 7 mm implants, he refrains from performing a sinus lift up to a bone height of 7 mm. In a current study, Sader's study group is examining the chances for success with short implants in the posterior maxilla. Biomechanical findings appear to favor the concept, particularly with bicortical anchorage. Nonetheless, Sader stresses careful observation of the prosthetic parameters. In a further study, Professor Yasemin Özkan (Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey) compared bone changes when using short (7 mm) CONELOG ® SCREW- LINE implants without augmentation or longer implants in conjunctionwith a sinus lift. According to the preliminary results, there are no significant differences in bone level between the protocols. Özkan also observed no significant differences in terms of prosthetic parameters, such as optimal distribution and the number of short implants. These factors should be investigated in further studies. Alveolar bone loss can be regarded as a disease according to Professor Hendrik Terheyden (Red Cross Hospital Kassel, Germany). Consequences include esthetic and functional impairment which can only be treated with augmentation methods, especially in the case of sagittal or transversal disproportionate relationships between the two jaws. Terheyden recommends interpositions osteoplastiques, which have been proven to recreate the original condition. In his opinion, a consensus is urgently required as basis for dentists and surgeons to choose the optimal method of treatment. Dr. Ilaria Franchini Prof. Hans-Peter Weber Prof. Hendrik Terheyden