We wind up the eventful year 2015 that has been a scientifically enriching year for the Journal of the International Clinical Dental Research Organization (JICDRO). Apart from the regular publications, we are proud to present this exclusive supplement. As we remember the father figure of Oral Implantology, Dr PI Brånemark JICDRO pays its humble tribute to this noble personality by releasing a theme-based supplementary issue on dental implants.

After spending years in acquiring professional education, there seems to be a very thin line at times between the unemployed and the unemployable. The reasons could range between the quality of education, vocational training (finishing schools or internships), and aspirations vis-avis acquired skill set imbalance. An umpteen number of researches and debates in various formats has brought to the forefront the obvious fact, namely, that the quality of the education system in India needs revision. Let us leave aside criticism and ponder on what is germane to the problem. The echelons of history will lucidly point at conditions in the pre-independence era, through the various political dramas and mindless mandates of our policy makers (and it does not seem to cease! eg., the debate on “board exams or no board exams for the 10th standard” seems to be defeating all perceivable logic and understanding).

The relationship between periodontal health and the restoration of teeth is intimate and inseparable. Human teeth are designed in such a way that the individual tooth contributes significantly to their own support as well as collectively the teeth in the arch. Decay on the proximal surfaces occurs mainly due to the faulty interrelationship between the contact area, marginal ridge, the embrasures and the gingiva. An adequate understanding of the relationship between periodontal tissues and restorative dentistry is paramount to ensure an adequate form, function, aesthetics and comfort of the dentition. For long-term survival of restoration, both functionally and esthetically, certain biological considerations are very critical to preserve the health of the periodontium and thus must be given due importance in clinical practice. While most clinicians are aware of this important relationship, uncertainly remains regarding specific concept such as biologic width and its maintainces.

Taking reference from the Buddhist philosophy, Ayatanaor “sense-base” includes the mind (or “brain”) as a sense organ, in addition to the traditional five. To me this addition of the mind to the commonly acknowledged five senses appears to be just logical, and that it may arise from the psychological orientation involved in us human. The mind (or brain, as most of us will comprehend) is the central processing unit and the intelligence behind the perception of the said five senses. The mind is the principal gateway to a different spectrum of phenomena that differ from the physically sensed data.

The health of the peri – implant tissues play an important in the long term outcome of dental implants. The absence of keratinized gingiva (KG) may be a risk factor for developing recession or peri –implantitis. However there is still ambiguity in the need for keratinized gingiva around dental implants. The preservation and reconstruction of soft tissue around dental implants is an integral component of dental Implantology. There is no long-term evidence whether augmented soft tissues can be maintained over time and are able to influence the peri-implant bone levels. Among the various soft tissue augmentation techniques Apically positioned flap with vestibuloplasty , Free gingival grafts and Connective tissue grafts are documented as the most predictable methods to increase the width of KG. Autogenous grafts increase the soft tissue thickness and improve aesthetics compared to non-grafted sites. The aim of this review is to critically discuss the need for KG around implants and the techniques to preserve and augment KG. It is difficult to arrive at a definitive conclusion due to scarcity of well designed studies in literature. Reliable evidence is lacking to suggest the ideal soft tissue augmentation/preservation techniques. Long term randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to provide a clearer image.