Very often, patients who were wearing precision attachments, figs. 10, 11, 12, chose a blade implant, figs. 13, 14, with either the existing male attachment from the original removable denture or as in this case, a new one, since the original one broke, fig. 15, to be used as the anterior support for a fixed bridge not involving the original anterior bridgework. The male attachment was adjusted in height, plastic copings were inserted over the blade posts, fig. 16, and picked up with a plaster index, fig. 17. The final unilateral fixed prosthesis was then cemented into position using the male precision attachment anteriorly and the double posted blade posteriorly to support the fixed rather than removable prosthesis, fig. 18. Fig. 19 shows the post-operative radiograph.

When the bone supporting the natural teeth is excellent as well as the bone in the edentulous areas, and the edentulous span is not too long, then only, a single tooth is necessary to act as the anterior support for a double posted blade, fig. 20. Individual castings are sometimes fabricated, fig. 21, prior to final completion of the bridgework, fig. 22. Fig. 23 shows the final panoramic x-ray.

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