Rehabilitation of medically complex ectodermal dysplasia with novel surgical and prosthodontic protocols.

The functional and aesthetic needs of a 17-year-old patient afflicted with ectodermal dysplasia, chronic long-term immunosuppression, cleft palate, velopharyngeal insufficiency, hypernasality, maxillary hypoplasia, and oligodontia were met with a multidisciplinary team approach. Predictable functional and aesthetic outcomes were obtained with a combination of injection augmentation of the soft palate and nasopharynx and rigid fixation maxillary external distraction with immediate placement and immediate load protocols. No biological or prosthetic complications were noted after definitive rehabilitation with a mandibular implant-retained fixed prosthesis and a maxillary implant-retained detachable prosthesis.

A combined direct dowel and indirect core technique.

The dowel-and-core restoration is indicated when inadequate tooth structure remains to retain an extracoronal restoration. A modified technique for fabricating the dowel and core combines the direct technique of forming the dowel in the actual channel with the indirect technique of creating an ideal core contour in the laboratory. This technique allows the operator to create an accurate and passive fit of the dowel pattern in the canal preparation. The technique also introduces the option of retrieving the dowel portion by utilizing a polyvinyl siloxane cast or liner. Further advantages of the technique are reduced chairside time and the ability to capitalize on the preparation of multiple teeth. The technique focuses efforts on achieving an accurate and passive fit of the dowel clinically while delegating the formation of the core to the laboratory.

Managing malrelated arches and limited vertical space for implant-supported overdentures: a case report.

Advancements in implant therapy have expanded the prosthetic options available to treat edentulous patients. The dental professional must be able to accurately diagnose the status of the intraoral environmental in order to provide the patient with appropriate treatment and a suitable restorative result. Skeletal relationships, arch malalignment, implant angulation, and ridge morphology must be evaluated during initial treatment planning and incorporated into the definitive prosthetic result. This case report demonstrates the application of an implant-supported prosthesis to address the various complications presented in the treatment of edentulous patients.

Establishing soft tissue integration with natural tooth-shaped abutments.

The disparity in dimensions between implant fixtures and the exposed extraction sockets has resulted in the development of anatomically shaped abutments. Systems have been recently introduced that facilitate the fabrication of abutments to the configuration of natural teeth in the anterior maxilla. These systems permit development of an aesthetic emergence profile and contours for easy access in maintenance of oral hygiene of maxillary anterior single-tooth implant-supported restorations. The rationale for the development, indications, advantages, and clinical utilization of a recently introduced abutment system is discussed.

Transferring emergence profile created from the provisional to the definitive restoration.

One primary objective for implant therapy is the achievement of an aesthetic result, and this is significantly dependent upon the condition of the peri-implant soft tissue and the implant emergence profile. The requisite for the configuration of the definitive crown is formulated by the provisional restoration, which transfers the position of the implant and the peri-implant soft tissue to the model utilized in the fabrication process. This article demonstrates the use of a provisionalization stage to precisely replicate the peri-implant tissue in the definitive restoration.

Silicoating in resin-metal bonding: restorative implications for osseointegrated implant-bone unison.

Detailed background information leading to the development of a silicoating technique is presented with its advantages and disadvantages and its role in implant dentistry. The rationale is shown for coining a new acronym "osseointegrated Implant-Bone Unison" with an interest in biomechanical considerations for a prosthodontic restorative scenario. Several clinical cases are presented that involve silicoating and composite restorations.

Aesthetic considerations for maxillary obturators retained by implants.

Maxillary obturators are prostheses used to replace maxillary tissues, missing congenitally or removed by trauma or tumor ablative surgery. These prostheses are used to restore function (speech, swallowing, and mastication) and aesthetics. A considerable number of edentulous patients have difficulty in retaining this type of prosthesis. Utilization of osseointegrated dental implants is a significant adjunct in treating these cases, but it must be undertaken with careful planning to ensure predictable aesthetic results. The learning objective of this article is to discuss the technique of designing aesthetic maxillary prostheses supported by osseointegrated dental implants. The discussion includes indications and contraindications, and a postcarcinoma surgery case is used to illustrate the clinical procedure.

Rehabilitation of an edentulous mandible with an implant-supported prosthesis.

The advances in osseointegration have resulted in an increased utilization of implants for restoration of the edentulous jaw. The success of osseointegrated implants supporting full arch prostheses has become more predictable. All implant restorations require a thorough diagnosis and a definitive treatment plan. Following a diagnostic wax-up, an optimal surgical implant template must be fabricated; it serves as a guide or prescription for placement of implants in an optimal anatomic location. The slightest misangulation of an implant may create restorative limitations. In such circumstances, alteration of the restorative design or selection of alternate materials may be required. The learning objective of this article is to review the fabrication of a combined ceramometal and resin-metal fixed/removable implant-supported mandibular hybrid prosthesis. Diagnosis, surgical template fabrication, vertical dimensions, buccal/lingual space limitations, and aesthetics are discussed.

Prosthetic considerations in the fabrication of surgical stents for implant placement.

The utilization of surgical stents/templates for implant placement is of significant importance to the success of the definitive prosthesis. However, major conceptual differences exist between surgical stents designed for implant-supported crowns and bridges and those designed for implant overdentures. In addition, various types of surgical stents exist within each group. In either case, optimizing the prosthetic result by customization of the stent should be a major consideration in the fabrication process. The design of the stent must account for several treatment conditions, including position of the implant, the tissue present, and the anticipated prosthesis. The teaching objective of this article is to present the prosthetic considerations in the fabrication and customization of surgical stents. The article compares the two groups and offers specific guidelines for the fabrication of surgical stents for the various types of restorations within each group.