Understanding the history, fundamental concepts, and technological advances in implantology is essential for dentists seeking to develop expertise in implant treatment. This was highlighted by drg. Cahya Yustisia Hasan, Sp.B.M.M., Subsp. C.O.M.(K), during the Dental Implant Course held on the second floor of the Margono Soeradji Building, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), on Wednesday (24 June 2026).
Although participating virtually while serving in Jakarta as part of the committee responsible for preparing the national competency examination for oral and maxillofacial surgery specialists, Drg. Cahya delivered a comprehensive presentation covering the fundamental principles of implantology that underpin modern clinical practice.
In his presentation, he guided participants through the long history of dental implants, tracing their evolution from ancient attempts to replace missing teeth using materials such as gold and bone to the development of modern titanium implants.
"As clinicians, we often focus on procedures and technical aspects. However, understanding the fundamental concepts of implantology is essential because they form the basis for making sound clinical decisions," he explained.
One of the session's primary topics was osseointegration, the biological process through which the implant surface bonds directly with surrounding bone tissue. According to Drg. Cahya, this process is the cornerstone of successful implant therapy, determining both implant stability and long-term durability.
He explained that titanium has become the standard material in modern implantology due to its excellent biocompatibility and ability to support optimal bone healing.
In addition to osseointegration, participants learned about the various classifications of dental implants based on design, attachment mechanisms, macrostructure, surface characteristics, and constituent materials. This knowledge enables dentists to select implant systems that best suit each patient's clinical needs.
Drg. Cahya also discussed recent technological advances in implantology, including three-dimensional imaging, Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), and surgical guide , all of which significantly improve the precision of implant placement.
"Technology is advancing rapidly. Today we have numerous tools that enable implant placement to be performed with far greater precision and planning than ever before," he explained.
At the conclusion of the session, he introduced the concepts of one-stage and two-stage implants, as well as the increasingly popular techniques of immediate implant placement and immediate loading . Nevertheless, he reminded participants that these approaches are not appropriate for every patient and require careful case selection.
Through this session, participants were expected to develop a solid understanding of the fundamental principles of implantology before progressing to more advanced clinical procedures. By mastering the history, biological principles, and technological developments of implant dentistry, clinicians will be better equipped to deliver safe, effective, and evidence-based implant treatment.
Reporter: Anny Anggraini, Photographer: Anny Anggraini, Editor: Andri Wicaksono
