The totally edentulous patient (1) had generous bone in the residual ridge. Grooves were made for bladevents (2), and bladevents inserted (3,4). The tissues were closed (5) and the patient dismissed with a temporary, full-arch splint—the first non-bulky, palateless restoration for this patient in years. An impression for the final prosthesis was taken of the beautifully healed tissues and bladevent abutments (6,7) and the final restoration permanently seated (8,9). As in the case of natural teeth, the occlusion (10) of an implant-supported restoration is always carefully checked and, if necessary, adjusted immediately after insertion and during follow-up visits.

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