My recent Interview with Impladent

Please read on:–

Please read on:–

Please give us a brief background about yourself.
I completed my BDS from Nair Hospital &Dental College,
Bombay with the Best Student of the year award in 1964. I
am a Fellow at the International College of Dentists, Fellow &
Diplomat at the International Congress of Oral Implantologists
(ICOI), Fellow & Diplomat at the Indian Society of Oral
Implantologists ( ISOI) and Faculty at the International
Seminars for Oral Implantology, Bremen, Germany.
I have special interest in fixed prosthetics, Aesthetic Dentistry &
Implant. I introduced Implant modality in the practice in 1989
after extensive training in the field with internationally acclaimed
leading teachers in the world.
I was responsible for helping to start the West Suburban Dental
Association, Indian Society of Oral Implantologists, framing
implant curriculum for Dental Council of India, framing
requirements for Dental Office standardisation, for IDA
Mumbai Branch and starting Practice Management Committee
for IDA head office.
From June ’11, I practice clinically only for complicated cases
along with Career Counseling. I also continue sharing by the way
of presentations on Practice Management, Planning associate/
partner in practice & Oral Hygiene.
When did you first know you wanted to work with dental
implants?
It was early 80’s, after getting labeled “GOOD WORKER”, I
started getting more complicated / difficult cases & that time
I realised I could not help patients, the ones that were partially
edentulous with missing posterior teeth, poor lower ridges,
severe gagging response to removable prosthesis and patients
not very comfortable with the idea of removable Prosthesis –
all typical indications for implants. Being an associate member
of Indian Prosthodontic Society, I was exposed to the idea
of Implants being used to solve such cases. I had to check if
holding only BDS allows me to legally practice implants. To this
end I contacted the Chairman of ICOI, Dr. Kenneth Judy –
who gave me a positive response. I got in touch with Noble
Biocare in 1985 & they gave me information of a course in June
1987 along with Asia Pacific Implants Conference at Singapore.
I not only booked myself but took a group of 12 to 14 Dental
Surgeons with me & we all took a number of training courses
of different systems as well. This was followed by some more
trips in November same year, Novmeber 1988, March 1989,
April 1990 & many more.
You are widely recognised as one of the first few
practitioners in India to incorporate Implants into your
dental practice. In those times, when patient awareness was
almost nonexistent, what made you foray into implants?
Part of this is discussed in the previous question. The other
interesting aspect was that I took this decision at the highest
peak of my practice – getting more challenging cases, which
could be solved by implants only. But with no awareness,
many failed cases reported world over – as it was a developing
science, it was an uphill task, a loss making proposition – but my
intentions were to first and foremost help my patient’s problem,
add an element of thrill / spice into overbooked routine practice
and always enjoy facing challenges in my life.
Being in active practice since over 30 years now, what
significant changes have you seen in Implant Dentistry in
India over these years?
I have seen significant changes as follows:
a. Increased awareness
b. Availability of so many training options here in India as
against our trips abroad – both financially expensive & more
time consuming.

c. Availability of so many Implants – including accessories locally
against the earlier limited options and limited stocks for sizes.
d. Availability of trained laboratory support – which we had to
teach / push the labs.
e. Changed economic scenario.
f. Changed Imaging / X ray techniques – OPG to CT Scans &
CBCT – with Surgical Guides giving directions, diameters &
lengths.
g. Most of the Implants are root form, threaded design –
practically similar as against so many types like blades,
subperiosteal, screws & root forms.
h. All the Implants have internal connections to Prosthetic
heads – as against quite a few having external connectors.
i. Media coverage
j. Being taught at some Dental Institutions – the 1st being
Graffelmann Department of implantology at SDM, Dharwad
in 1994.
What avoidable implant complications have you seen most
often in your practice?
I have commonly noted the following complications:
a. Lack of preplanning – there is a saying that “one should have
clear idea of final prostheses before starting the case.”
b. Avoid preparing of surgical stent.
c. Selection an improper candidate – one not likely to follow all
instructions, give sufficient commitment to hygiene, regular
follow ups.
d. Missing out on strict surgical protocol to prevent infections.
e. Not planning 6 handed protocols – operator, associate trained

in Implant on other side & a revolving assistant. A hint &
altered saying by me to my students “While hunting a deer be
prepared for a lion”
When speaking with recent graduates, who have had
varying degrees of exposure to implants in their training,
we are often asked what courses they should take to learn
to get into implant surgery. What are the parameters they
should be using to evaluate a potential course?
a. Science based training courses covering more on basics rather
than company sponsored / conducted courses.
b. Conducted by someone in active Implant practice – not just
a teacher.
c. Course giving an option of treating a patient at various stages.
May spread over 8 to 12 months.
d. Participant is strongly recommended to study basic
implantology.
e. Do not stop at just one training – take as many as you can –
every teacher has few extra tips to teach.
What is the most interesting new technology in the implant
world?
a. Surgical guide stent fabricated with help of CBCT, and
b. Physiodispensors with controlled speed, torque, etc.
Please give some tips to general dentists wishing to
incorporate Implants in their practice.
a. Study basic Implantology
b. Select the right training course & take it.
c. Have computer software / brochures to educate & motivate
the patients.
d. Be on side of an active practitioner for a couple of cases to
assist – if you cannot manage an opportunity, call an implant
surgeon / take your patient to his office to get such opportunity.

e. Train a junior / associate along with circulating assistant to
assist while taking above steps – they could be along with
you.
f. Before treating your 1st patient, make sure you are thoroughly
prepared.
g. Take up simple cases to start with independently.
h. Achieve a mental rehearsal before treating the patient.
i. Maintain & archive all records – pre & post — study casts,
OPG, Intra Oral X rays, etc.
Getting personal, please give a brief on your family.
I am married and my wife, Kusum is an artist. She has had the
privilege to hold exhibitions of her art work at Taj Art Gallery
twice & once at Jehangir Art Gallery – apart from many others
at smaller galleries.
My son, 46, works as a recruiter in USA. He is married to a
software professional and they have a 14 year old daughter.
My Daughter, 41, is a double graduate in Nutrition and has a
fitness studio in Andheri, Mumbai. She is married to a famous
Animator and they have a 10 year old son.
Your favourite hobbies other than Dentistry.
My hobbies include music, movies, drama, photography,
swimming, gyming, socialising & outings – have travelled
extensively.
Your favourite holiday destination.
After travelling extensively, now will think of Mahabaleshwar /
Lonavala – Khandala.