Hamdard University Dental Hospital (HUDH) in Karachi collaborated with Glowpak international to conduct a hands-on workshop specifically for final year students at HUDH. Glow Pak International is a leading enterprise committed to provide high quality electro-medical products for the Health sector in Pakistan since 1989, including innovative Dental units, implants and equipment. The Principal of Hamdard College of Medicine – Dr. Furqan graced the event to distribute certificates and prizes among the participating students.
The event was managed by Dr. Syed Abrar Ali – FCPS and Head of Operative Dentistry in Hamdard University Dental Hospital. During his lecture on “Introduction and basis of Implantology”, Dr. Abrar emphasized that there is a need to teach advanced Dentistry at undergraduate level. Although implantology is being taught theoretically in undergraduate programmes, but there is not enough practical approach. This leaves the students with poor conceptual knowledge of about implantology and other essential methodologies. Thus the young doctors face difficulties in adopting and using implantology in practice, due to lack of confidence and practical skills. Dr. Abrar further said that; other advanced workshops like Teeth whitening procedures and rotary Endodontics must also be taught practically along with theory at the undergraduate level.
This will enable the young graduates to learn quickly and apply the most advanced dental procedures much earlier in their careers. In his lecture Dr. Abrar highlighted the facts that Implant supported teeth; look, feel and function like natural teeth, due to the biologic bonding of gum tissues with implants. It is surgically inserted into bone to support the prosthetics like anchors. Implants offer numerous advantages over other methods. There is no need for preparation of adjacent teeth or bone stabilization/Retention procedures. It is a life-long solution which maintains easy retrievability, better performance under biting stress. The patient can eat whatever he wants and also looks younger, as it avoids bone-loss and preserves facial structure. He also explained the types and qualities of implants available. He stated that; although implants do cost higher and take more surgeries and time to fix, but the results give us better Aesthetics and improve the patient’s confidence and psychology.
This insightful lecture was followed by a detailed overview of Implants System, Bone Morphologies and Surgical Techniques by Dr. Kashif Naqvi - Associate Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Hamdard University Dental Hospital (HUDH). He also highlighted some interesting facts like: The very first implants were created at the end of the 1970’s by the pioneering research work of Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark in Sweden. Today there are over 200 variations of dental implants, each varying in materials, dimensions or geometry. Most implants are made from either commercially pure titanium or titanium alloys – promising; strength, corrosion resistance, light weight and good hygiene.
Later, some enlightening guidelines on “Aesthetics in Implant Dentistry” were presented by Dr. Nadeem Hafeez Khokar – DMD and MDSc, Associate Professor HUDH. While explaining different phases and techniques of implant procedures, he said: the factors affecting the aesthetic outcome are - Implant placement, Implant size, Soft tissue profiling, Bone grafting considerations and Prosthetic considerations
The first phase of this event was concluded by Dr. Mehmood Hussain - Department of Prosthodontics HUDH, who provided valuable information on the “Prosthodontic aspects of dental implants”. He explained the surgical, restorative and esthetic advantages and considerations in implantology, and visually defined the various procedures. He also discussed the possible reasons for failure of an implant, and the solutions to these challenges.
During the second phase of this training workshop, these highly experienced practitioners, provided individual attention and guided each participating student, as they practically drilled artificial jaws and placed various kinds of implants. Towards the end all the students appreciated this great effort and thanked the organizers, sponsors and Hamdard University Dental Hospital for providing them this unique opportunity to gain practical experience and learn professional skills in Implants - a modern field of Dentistry which is gaining popularity very rapidly.