Soft tissue management from the restorative perspective is a topic that is fundamental for success in providing patients with esthetic and functional restorations and for improved patient care. This is where the beautiful artistic work of the dental technician meets with the finish line of the tooth preparation and with the dentogingival complex at the soft tissue–restorative interface. Creating and managing the soft tissue frame is the essence of restorative dentistry, and it is a constant challenge for clinicians, regardless of the type of restoration (tooth borne or implant supported) being provided. In every step of restorative therapy, the soft tissue may be susceptible to trauma that may or may not be reversible and may adversely affect the desired esthetic outcome.
Much has already been written on this topic from both research and clinical perspectives. The vision for this book, however, is to provide clinicians with evidence-based concepts that will guide them as technologies and materials in dentistry continue to evolve. The goal is to demystify clinical restorative procedures and help restorative dentists ensure better control of the soft tissue frame (also known as the pink esthetics) during all clinical steps of restorative therapy while enhancing a healthy and esthetic treatment outcome. Therefore, the book offers a simplified approach for soft tissue management during restorative therapy and practical tools that restorative dentists may apply in their daily practice.
Writing this book provided me with a great opportunity to learn more and augment my knowledge and clinical skills. I can only hope that this book similarly provides restorative dentists with practical, tangible, and valuable tools based on sound scientific concepts that will help them in their everyday practice.
Acknowledgments
First, I would like to thank all the contributors to this book as well as all the faculty members at the University of Washington, especially Deans Martha J. Somerman, Timothy A. DeRouen, and Joel H. Berg. In addition, this book would not be possible without the inspiration and collaboration of my graduate students in the Graduate Prosthodontics program. I am also in debt to all the clinicians and dental technicians (including Kimiyo Sawyer and her team from Cusp Dental Laboratory) whose excellent work is depicted in the cases presented in this book (see page x).
Carole Green and Jeff Meadows from the Graduate Prosthodontics clinic and my office manager, Paige Moody, have offered me significant support and assistance, for which I am grateful. Many thanks as well to Heather Bright from the Seattle Study Club and Michelle Butcher from the Graduate Prosthodontics program.
I am also grateful for the education I received at the Hebrew University School of Dental Medicine in Jerusalem, Israel, and at Louisiana State University School of Dentistry.
My deepest appreciation and gratitude go to my program director, Israel M. Finger, and my master research mentor, Shawky E. Mohamed, for their wisdom and guidance. Finally, I must express my eternal gratitude to Gerard J. Chiche, who continues to inspire me as an excellent teacher, superior clinician, and a genuine human being, and Michael Cohen, who has inspired me to write this book and continues to be a mentor, a friend, and a family.
Matthew R. Anderson, DMD, MSD, earned his DMD degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, after which he completed specialty training in prosthodontics at the University of Washington School of Dentistry, where he earned his certificate and MSD degree. While there, Dr Anderson was named the David L. Wands Fellow and also received a fellowship from the American Dental Association & Dentsply International. His research during his residency earned him a Tylman Grant and award from the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics. Dr Anderson maintains a private practice in Santa Rosa, California.
Sami Dogan, DDS, Dr med dent, received his dental degrees from the University of Ankara, Turkey, and from the School of Dentistry at the University of Hannover, Germany. He completed his postgraduate training in the Department of Restorative Dentistry at the University of Washington. He is currently an assistant professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, where he teaches dental and graduate students. Dr Dogan’s research includes clinical and in vitro studies and focuses on remineralization of teeth and the quality assessment of dental materials. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and holds an intramural practice limited to prosthodontics at the University of Washington.
Sul-Ki Hong, DDS, received his dental degree from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, where he then entered the postgraduate program in prosthodontics and taught both prosthodontics and periodontics. He received his certificate in periodontics from Nova Southeastern University in Florida and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. Currently, he is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Periodontics at the University of Washington. He also maintains a private practice limited to periodontics in Bellevue, Washington.
Motoaki Ishibe, DDS, MSD, received his DDS degree from Nihon University School of Dentistry in Tokyo, Japan, where he also completed a 1-year residency in general dentistry and served as a resident in oral and maxillofacial surgery. He further pursued his postgraduate training in prosthodontics at the University of Washington, where he received his specialty certificate in prosthodontics and MSD degree. He is currently an affiliate assistant professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry at the University of Washington. He also maintains a private practice in Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan.
Jae Seon Kim, DDS, MSD, received his DDS degree from Yonsei University College of Dentistry in Seoul, Korea, and his MSD degree and certificate in prosthodontics from the University of Washington School of Dentistry. He is currently an assistant professor in the Oral Rehabilitation Department at Georgia Regents University College of Dental Medicine in Augusta, Georgia. He is also part of the esthetic team in the Ronald Goldstein Center for Esthetic and Implant Dentistry. Dr Kim is a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics and a Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists.
Robert M. London, DDS, received his dental degree from the University of California–Los Angeles School of Dentistry and his certificate in periodontics from the University of Washington in Seattle. He has held previous appointments at Nova Southeastern University and the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. Dr London is currently a clinical professor of postdoctoral periodontics at the University of Washington. He is a member of the editorial review boards for the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, the Journal of Periodontology, and Clinical Advances in Periodontics as well as a consultant for the Washington State Department of Health. A Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, Dr London has researched bone grafting, guided tissue regeneration, physiology of implant surface–bone interactions, and implant therapy, including esthetic and tissue responses to custom CAD/CAM abutments. He has also published several book chapters and scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and lectures extensively both nationally and internationally.