Maxillary endosseous implant interventions 429

piece was a pink acrylic "stent" that snapped into place over the underlying pink acrylic framework and was removed by the patient to clean the underlying piece. The processed acrylic teeth were quite a distance below the tissue-bearing surfaces of the pink acrylic, which indicates how much bone has resorbed (Fig. 10-158) .

The finished case worked out quite well for the patient, both physically and psychologically (Fig. 10-159). A Panorex of the completed case reveals the pin implants supported by the gold template and both remaining molars (Fig. 10-160).

Case 17

A full arch splint for a partially edentulous maxilla using a template and a one-dimensional triplant

Sometimes, because of anatomic anomalies, it is necessary to insert triplant pins along one plane rather than three. This naturally forms a weaker type of abutment but nevertheless works, providing a rigid full arch splint and template are made to join with the triplant, thus adding a great deal of support. When the operator faces such a situation, he is advised to simplify his problem, and incidentally provide greater security, by using the blade-vent.

This case, done before the invention of the blade-vent, shows a porcelain-baked-to-metal full arch pros-thesis and template with superstructure attached. The template's pin holes are in a straight line rather than in the usual triangular or quadrangular con-figuration (Fig. 10-161).

After all necessary adjustments had been accomplished, the bridge was cemented over the prepared abutment teeth with hard cement (Fig. 10-162). When the cement hardened, all excess was removed.

Fig. 10-162. The prosthesis is fitted over the prepared teeth.

Fig. 10-163. The bridge is cemented and pin implants are drilled through the template.

Fig. 10-164. The pins are locked to the template and to each other with acrylic.