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The concept of osseointegration, introduced by Brånemark, has revolutionized the clinical practice of dentistry. Because studies have documented their predictability and successful long-term outcomes, dental implants are rapidly becoming an alternative to traditional prostheses and are one of the preferred treatment options for replacing missing teeth in both partially and completely edentulous ridges. Dental implants are a viable alternative for many patients in need of a dental prosthesis and are widely accepted in the field of dentistry because they provide the tripartite objective of function, esthetics, and comfort. The current issue of Dental Clinics of North America blends knowledge gained from clinical experience with knowledge obtained from the current body of dental literature to establish therapeutic guidelines for preventing and managing implant-associated complications. Through this effort, we aim to assist clinicians in identifying and treating undesirable presurgical, intrasurgical, and postsurgical problems associated with implant placement. In these 13 articles, we have attempted to describe and suggest management options for all of the reported implant complications. This issue is designed to serve as a guide for the thought processes involved in clinical decision-making so that dental practitioners can not only prevent complications but also manage them when they occur.
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