A Brief History of the MII Legacy

The Midwest Implant Institute was founded in 1980 by Dr. Alfred “Duke” Heller and Dr. Jack Hahn, becoming the first American dental implant institute. The institute was develop to elevate the standard of care in implant dentistry by allowing the doctor and staff to do procedures on their very own patients. Located in Lewis Center, Ohio, the Institute remains on the frontline of technology, instruction, techniques, and clinical applications regarding implant dentistry.

From 1976 through 1980, the Ohio Dental Institute taught courses using Dr. Duke Heller, Dr. Jack Hahn, Dr. Tom Brawley and Dr. Larry Mullinax as faculty teaching in local motels and conference centers. Originally, the faculty only taught to dentists within Ohio. But as interest flourished nationwide, the Midwest Implant Institute was founded to reach all corners of the United States of America and abroad. In 1980, Dr. Heller and Dr. Hahn began lectures and courses developed for hands-on surgical and prosthetic aspects of implant dentistry within Dr. Heller’s private practice and renamed the entity “The Midwest Implant Institute.”

From 1988-2000, The Midwest Implant Institute developed initial implant programs at multiple universities. These universities include the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine, The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, and the West Virginia University School of Dentistry. During development of these programs, MII continued lectures for practicing dentists.

Over the last 29 years, there have been thousands of doctors and staff members that have taken training at the Midwest Implant Institute. Throughout the years, over 750 doctors have committed to the externship program by bringing their staff and to be trained together and perform procedures on their own patients. Each dentist with his/her staff is responsible to place and assist 14 implants as an MII externship requirement, although most doctors place between 20-25 implants during their externship training at no additional fee. Successors of the program have included general dentists and all specialities that range from all skill and knowledge levels of implant dentistry. By using the multiple levels of technology, advanced techniques and individualized hands-on approach, MII has been allowed to adjust the experience for all of their participants. This has created an experience that will meet and exceed the personal and professional standards of the doctor and their staff for a flowing transition, bringing a new dimension of dentistry to their practice.

The Midwest Implant Institute has always prided itself on the ability of continually serving our fellows and externs for the remaining career of that practitioner. The 2009-2010 Midwest Implant Institute lecture sessions and externship programs are considered some of the most comprehensive and advanced throughout the nation. The Midwest Implant Institute's ability to provide education coupled with a true “hands-on” clinical and surgical experience for the doctor and staff is surpassed by no other institute.