Professional cooperation between dentist and laboratory technician.

This case points out the importance of professional cooperation between the dentist and the technician because of the concept that implantology means specialized prosthetics including a surgical component. Success of any implant treatment depends on the professionally trained technician as a partner of the team. Clinical and technical treatment steps are intertwined. The dentist is responsible for the surgical procedure and must use his or her utmost skills and learning. In cases of proposed sinus elevation on both sides of the maxilla, the dentist must not necessarily collect autologous bone from the iliac crest because appropriate bone substitutes are available; also, tuber blades may be used to avoid sinus elevation. Unfortunately, at this time, the universities in Germany have not endeavored to pursue intensive scientific research concerning this important topic.