312 Theories and techniques of oral implantology

SINGLE TOOTH IMPLANTS WITHOUT NATURAL TOOTH ABUTMENTS

These cases, although they illustrate various types of implant interventions, have one thing in common—none had natural tooth abutments. Some implants received absolutely no additional support from neighboring teeth; others were ligated some time after insertion with .010 stainless steel wire. Still others were A-splinted immediately to teeth on both sides, and the splint was cut away 6 months later. Naturally, these last implants were the firmest.

Fig. 8-1. A master stone model with duplicate implant shaft is made wider than the original implant post by adding a few layers of lacquer over its four sides.

Fig. 8-2. An acrylic crown with an undersurface of gold is fabricated to fit over the enlarged post.

Fig. 8-3. The prefabricated acrylic restoration is fitted into the edentulous space and checked for gingival adaptation, interproximal contacts, and occlusion prior to the implant insertion.

Fig. 8-5. The implant post should extend 3 or 4 mm. above the fibromucosal tissue and should not interfere with occlusion.

Fig. 8-4. With the use of a hand ratchet and a prolongator, the vent-plant is self-tapped into the underlying osseous structures.