Endosseous blade implants 509

ridge is uneven and extremely porous, with the tissue tenaciously bound to it. Thus extreme care is needed to avoid tearing the tissue while separating it in order to reduce postoperative complications. As a note of interest, Linkow has never found a cortical plate of bone covering the alveolar crest in the posterior edentulous area of the maxillae from the bicuspid to tuberosity regions, no matter how long a time the area was edentulous)

Grooves the same mesiodistal length as their corresponding blades were made in the desired areas of the ridge about 6 mm. deep. The blades were set in their grooves (Fig. 11-150) and tapped in until their shoulders were below the bony ridge (Fig. 11-151). The tissue was then completely closed with surgical ties (Fig. 11-152) . The palateless temporary denture was adjusted, lined with Hydrocast,* and fitted over

*Manufactured by Kay-See Dental Co., Kansas City, Mo.

Fig. 11-152. Tissues were sutured over the implants.

Fig. 11-153. The healed tissues 2 weeks postoperatively.

Fig. 11-154. A one-piece gold casting for an acrylic prosthesis is used.