Dr Ridhwaan Haffajee

13/07/2026

has proven to be a unique curriculum in South Africa affording a young dentist exposure to materials and techniques in a modern dental practice - implant dentistry is no different. Every dentist in modern day practice will have some exposure to dental implants regardless if they choose to engage in such care or refer, thus making it critical to understand basic concepts and communicate with their patients confidently
Being part of since 2018, it’s been humbling to watch the profession evolving and advancing in South Africa and especially a privilege to be part of it!
Massive thank you to for always supporting dental implant education!

11/06/2026

17/11/2025

👨🏽‍🎨Anterior Aesthetics With Cutback Zirconia🎨

Rehabilitation of teeth 11 and 21 was completed using monolithic zirconia with facial cutback, allowing for controlled ceramic layering to optimise translucency, value, and surface morphology. This hybrid approach provides the flexural strength of zirconia while re-introducing the optical properties required for the aesthetic zone.

Evidence continues to support zirconia as a reliable anterior material when handled with proper design, adhesive protocols, and veneering strategies. Facial cutback reduces the volume of veneering ceramic and therefore the risk of chipping, while still achieving polychromatic depth and enamel-like characterisation (Sailer et al., 2018; Zhang & Lawn, 2018).

Key to note that to have a cutback design (and stump blockout) with layering ceramic does require a more aggressive preparation to allow for the volume of material needed.

The final outcome demonstrates how material selection, stump shade control, and soft-tissue stability collectively influence aesthetic predictability in high-visibility restorations.

📚 References:
– Sailer I, et al. (2018). All-ceramic or metal–ceramic tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses? J Dent, 72: 7–13.
– Zhang Y, Lawn BR. (2018). Novel zirconia materials in dentistry. J Dent Res, 97(2): 140–147.
– ITI Consensus (2018). Prosthodontic materials and optical considerations in the aesthetic zone.

# crowns

13/11/2025

Removable dentures have evolved far beyond the “gap fillers” of the past.
Modern acrylic-based prostheses, when fabricated with premium teeth and high-performance denture base resins, now offer exceptional aesthetics, strength, and comfort.

Today’s removable dentures incorporate natural tooth morphology — lifelike texture, translucency, surface anatomy, and individualised colour layering — allowing outcomes that closely mimic natural dentition. For many patients, this means a prosthesis that looks and feels far more natural than earlier generations.

When combined with dental implants, retention and stability are significantly improved. This translates into enhanced function, confidence, and better nutritional intake, particularly important as patients age and overall systemic health becomes more dependent on efficient mastication.

Modern materials + thoughtful design + implant support = predictable comfort, improved chewing efficiency, and a more confident smile.

References
• Bidra, A.S. et al. (2019) Contemporary materials and concepts for removable prosthodontics. J Prosthet Dent, 121(3), pp. 474–482.
• Zoidis, P. (2021) Acrylic resin advances for removable prostheses. Int J Prosthodont, 34(5), pp. 579–587.
• Feine, J.S. et al. (2002) The McGill Consensus on overdentures: functional and nutritional benefits. J Prosthet Dent, 88(1), pp. 28–34.
• Emami, E. et al. (2013) Masticatory performance and nutritional status in older adults with implant overdentures. Clin Oral Impl Res, 24(5), pp. 557–563.

06/11/2025

05/11/2025

Case selection matters🕵🏼

Not every patient is a candidate for a fixed, immediate-load solution.

Age, dexterity, and the ability to maintain hygiene play crucial roles in long-term success. Removable implant-supported prostheses often offer a safer, more maintainable alternative—especially when approached with sound clinical reasoning rather than enthusiasm for immediacy.

Careful diagnosis, not convenience, should guide our choice🥊

(Malo et al., 2012; Feine et al., 2018)

27/08/2025

⏳2 YEAR FOLLOW UP⌛️
Before and afters are cool - cut some enamel, impression (maybe a digital scan) and throw on some ceramic ?
What separates this from the truely rewarding cases is the meticulous planning, the intense collaboration between surgery, prosthodontics and ceramist, the symphony between materials, science and biology as healing occurs and culminates in long term stability.
Marginal integrity of restorations is critical in supporting periodontal health and ensuring efficient plaque control.
📝The approach to every patient should be minimal treatment based on education on long term consequences of any treatment plan - not just the immediate gratification that follows. ‘Aesthetic rehabilitations’ will fail at some point regardless of how ‘good’ the before and after are.
🎨Non surgical endodontic therapy was initially carried out and sealed Totalfill BC (FKG ), gingival recontouring and surgery with long term provisional restorations before replacing with Lithium Dislicate with micro-veneering ( )

22/08/2025

🦷 Monolithic vs. Veneered Zirconia in Full-Arch Implant Prostheses
When it comes to restoring full arches, zirconia offers a compelling combination of strength, esthetics, and biocompatibility. But which option stands the test of time—monolithic or veneered?

💪 Monolithic Zirconia
✔️ ~900–1200 MPa flexural strength
✔️ Excellent fracture resistance
✔️ Minimal chipping—ideal for bruxers
✔️ Superior long-term predictability (Pjetursson et al., 2022)

💎 Veneered Zirconia
✔️ Enhanced esthetics for anterior zones
❗️Higher risk of chipping at the veneer interface
❗️Often bulkier to accommodate porcelain layering

📊 The Evidence?
Clinical data consistently shows lower complication rates and greater durability with monolithic zirconia, particularly in high-stress full-arch cases (Bidra et al., 2021; Stawarczyk et al., 2023). Veneering is now largely reserved for selective esthetic refinement only.

📸 In this case, we opted for a full-arch monolithic zirconia prosthesis—prioritizing strength, function, and longevity.

👉 The Verdict:
For most full-arch implant cases, monolithic zirconia delivers reliability without compromise.

20/08/2025

🦷
Dental implant made easy?

Its videos like these that we often find on our feed and sometimes comes across as “dental implants are easy to restore. I take an impression and the lab does the rest”
The sad reality is that this is the furthest from reality. A culmination of meticulous diagnostics, treatment planning, implant planning (type and position),soft tissue assessment, loading protocol… and and and…
I firmly advise any young dentist to invest in sound education - not a single day “weekend” crash course on impression taking - engage with a mentor or network or mentors and dental implantology can eventually become ‘routine’
To the patients - IT IS YOUR RIGHT TO ASK YOUR TREATING PRACTITIONER WHAT TRAINING DO THEY HAVE TO TREAT YOU.

19/08/2025

🧲All-on-4 & A–P Spread🧲

Defining the Limits
In full-arch implant rehabilitation using the All-on-4 protocol, a critical biomechanical factor is the anteroposterior (A–P) spread—the distance from the anterior implants (often at the lateral incisor position) to the distal aspect of the posterior tilted implants (typically in the first molar region) (Maló et al., 2020).

✅Why A–P Spread Matters:
This distance determines how much cantilever your prosthesis can safely support.
🔹 Ideal A–P spread: 10–12 mm minimum
🔹 Safe cantilever limit: No more than 1.5× the A–P spread, although a 1:1 ratio is often more predictable and biomechanically conservative (Agliardi et al., 2021).

✅Enhancing A–P Spread:
> Tilt posterior implants 30°–45° to reach the first molar zone while avoiding anatomical structures.

> Use surgical guides and CBCT planning to optimise implant distribution and ensure clean access for hygiene.
Avoid overextending cantilevers, which increase stress on distal abutments and prosthetic components (Bevilacqua et al., 2022).

📸 This case shows posterior angulation, enhancing A–P spread for a balanced and cleansable full-arch prosthesis with minimal cantilever.