Mandibular endosseous implant interventions 377

index was taken, as well as the necessary bites and opposing jaw impressions. Duplicate implant posts were placed inside the plaster index (Fig. 9-141) . The tissue was then sutured (Fig. 9-142), with the sutures being removed about 4 or 5 days later.

The master model was poured and articulated. A specially designed gold superstructure containing two Gerber stress-breaker type attachments was then fabricated (Fig. 9-143). These resilient attachments de-

flected some of the load brought to bear upon the implants. The superstructure was cemented over the three protruding posts with hard cement (Fig. 9-144). A full upper denture and a full lower denture with built-in internal female attachments were made. To obtain geometric parallelism of the occlusal planes on both sides of the arch, various types of occlusal templates, with and without a curve of Spee, are sometimes used. These templates are de-

Fig. 9-143. A, A superstructure framework with a center-poise attachment is fabricated using the Hanau articulator. B to D, Two resilient type Gerber attachments were used. The female attachments will be processed inside the lower denture. The undersurface of the superstructure has copings that fit over the implant shafts.

Fig. 9-144. A, The superstructure is cemented with hard cement over the implants. B, The female attachments are placed over the male attachments.