One goal in the treatment of the fully edentulous patient is to re-establish the maxillo-mandibular relation in the transversal and sagittal dimensions comprising adequate facial height. The occlusal contact situation be...

It is important to evaluate whether the implants are parallel to each other. If the implants are fairly parallel to each other (Fig 1) a closed tray impression technique can be employed. Since the implants are parallel to each other, the polymerized...

In vitro research studies have compared splinted versus unsplinted impression techniques and have, in general, shown that the splinted impression technique yields more accurate master casts when compared to a reference...

The goals of an impression are to accurately capture tissue contours necessary and relevant for fabrication of a prosthesis that adapts well to mucosa or a prosthesis that fits well and passively on implants...

 

A fixed implant prosthesis is completely anchored and supported by dental implants. There are different terms used to describe a fixed implant prosthesis, such as fixed complete denture, fixed detachable prosthesis, the hybrid prosthesis, or the...

Attachment selection

The relative merits of different prosthodontic treatment objectives - resilient versus rigid attachments - are controversial and empirical. A resilient retention mechanism is recommended on the assumption that this will protect implants from overload; while in...

At post-placement visits, the same factors evaluated carefully at the placement appointment should be reviewed and adjusted where necessary. Overdenture base fit, extensions, occlusion, esthetics, function, comfort and overall patient...

Placement of a removable prosthesis requires attention to detail to cover all important clinical items such prosthesis fit, denture base extensions, esthetics, occlusion, patient comfort and post-insertion instructions. Implant overdentures may or may not...

The trial placement appointment is a significant one for successful edentulous patient care.
The tooth arrangement (set-up) provides a tangible orientation index of the teeth’s spatial positions in relation to each...

Accurate and repeatable recording of patient’s maxillo-mandibular relationships are essential for all types of oral rehabilitation. They provide essential clinical documentation that enables dentists and technicians to create...

Impression making in implant overdenture therapy simultaneously records healthy available denture-bearing tissue surfaces and implants’ positions in edentulous arches. The objective is a shared retention and...

Patrick Rutten reviews the laboratory part within the digital workflow and the opportunities with CAD/CAM procedures being an excellent alternative to casting technique. CAD/CAM technology provides excellent and predictable precision, passive fit, significant labor and time savings...

A fixed prosthesis offers benefits from both a functional and esthetic point of view and may be regarded as quite similar to a patient's own natural dentition when compared to alternative treatment options such as complete dentures....

Some patients present with soft and hard tissue defects that cannot be addressed by a fixed implant prosthesis when esthetics, phonetics and oral hygiene access are considered. In these patients who have struggled...

The All-on-4® treatment concept can be combined with a guided surgical protocol. Looking back on experiences with these techniques since 2005, Dr Lopes reviews the advantages of these protocols for patient and surgeon, such as comfort, reduced surgery time and increased...