Endodontic implants 597

Fig. 13-35. Castings were fitted over the prepared abutment teeth and five vent-plants were set into the osseous structures, four of which were set in both posterior edentulous areas.

Fig. 13-36. A full arch gold occlusal-acrylic veneer fixed denture was cemented over the endodontically stabilized teeth, with implants adding more support to them.

choice of an endosseous or subperiosteal implant depends on the amount of remaining alveolar bone.

The patient pictured in Fig. 13-27 had only two natural teeth remaining in the mandible, a loosened lateral incisor and a mesially-tipped right second molar. These two teeth were first prepared (Fig. 13-28), and the sites for placing endosseous implants were marked on the fibromucosal tissue (Fig. 13-29). After four vent-plants were inserted, an endodontic stabilizer was placed through the lateral incisor and into the underlying bone, giving the tooth immediate stabilization (Fig. 13-30). A full arch, veneer crown, fixed denture was then cemented into position over the much tighter lateral incisor, remaining molar, and vent-plants (Fig. 13-31). A Panorex radiograph clearly demonstrates the final result (Fig. 13-32).

Another patient helped by the combined implant procedure is shown in Fig. 13-33. Here the patient, who had only a few remaining mandibular anterior teeth, was afflicted with a poorly functioning, re-movable, bilaterally free-end saddle partial denture. Endodontic root stabilizers were used to help stabi-

Fig. 13-37. Intraoral periapical radiographs show the stabilizers and a few of the vent-plants.