Guarantees for Dental Implants

Informed consent . Go over everything very carefully , your expectations for the case, their expectations of the final result. You could do cartwheels it won't make a difference it's the final result that you have to envision and describe or show the patient . With implants the obvious risk factors should be touched upon that standard "ICOI" consent forms explain. That's not enough, get into failure, discuss with them what will happen if it fails(you have to be prepared for failure as well and manage it accordingly)In my practice I've been placing and restoring implants for seven years, (GP for 22) I tell them upfront if the implant fails we'll do it over, if it fails again then it's conventional dentistry time at no additional cost. I only had to manage 2 failed implants in this time and I made it right.If the failures piled up I'd be out of business but that's not the case. Case selection is key, don't be a hero, in implants no good deed goes unpunished. If you don't feel it's going to go great back off or prepare them and be honest with yourself and them. Once you get into the case it's yours. This whole rant may sound cynical but the truth is that with proper case selection and planning everything usually goes great and everyone wins. Still you have to cover all the what ifs . You have to tell them the tooth is going to be longer before you touch them. I had a case last month that in addition to all the above I had them sign with an interpreter that they understood THE TOOTH WILL BE LONGER than their original cracked tooth.Now it's a reason later it's a poor excuse. Good Luck

Well, I usually will warranty the implantbody for 5 years (or as per the implant company). Essentially I extend that courtesy to the patient. The abutment, screw and all prosthetic components habe NO GUARANTEE or WARRANTY... The implant body I wil replace at a nominal surgical fee... if bone grafting to GTR is necessary there would be additional costs. Otherwise they would have an implant 'credit' that they can transfer to a family member or firned after signing the release and sales form that I've prepares. Ive only had to do this once...

I give 10 year 'guarantee' on the implant and 5 years on the superstructures

I am using the ICOI consent form,and the anesthesia consent form, also I make sure i write in the chart that verbal as well as written consent was given to the patient and he was given the chance of asking questions and the questions were answered. this is taken in to consideration legally big time!! Patients in the consent read that implants can fail at any time and i talk to them about it, If thats the case I give them full warranty on the case, people are usually agravated by the money factor, I repeat the case at my expense. regards!