A comparison of impression techniques for the CeraOne abutment.

PURPOSE: This study measured the accuracy of two impression techniques recommended by Noblepharma to be used with their CeraOne single tooth implant restoration. The first technique was to lute the impression transfer coping to the impression tray with autopolymerizing acrylic resin. The second was to leave the transfer coping free-standing in the impression material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five samples were made of a polyvinyl impression of the CeraOne transfer coping free-standing in the set impression material. Thirty-five samples were made of a polyvinyl impression of the CeraOne transfer coping luted to the impression tray with autopolymerizing acrylic resin. A jig was fabricated and used to record the spatial relations of the impressions and the transfer copings in reference to the jig. A light microscope was used to measure the distance between fixed markings on pressure sensitive paper, representing impression variations. RESULTS: The mean discrepancy in the horizontal plane for nonluted impressions was 0.094 mm, and for luted impressions, it was 0.275 mm. The mean discrepancy in the vertical plane for nonluted impressions was 0.154 mm, and for luted impressions, it was 0.192 mm. The differences found between the group with the luted impression tray and the group with the nonluted impression tray were found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The more accurate of the two techniques is to transfer the impression coping without luting it to the impression tray.

Trajectory surgical guide stent for implant placement.

This article describes a new implant placement surgical guide that gives both implant location and trajectory to the surgeon. Radiopaque markers are placed on diagnostic dentures and a lateral cephalometric radiograph is made that shows the osseous anatomy at the symphysis and the anterior tooth location. The ideal implant location and trajectory data are transferred to a surgical stent that programs the angle and location of the fixtures at time of surgery. The stent has the additional benefit of acting as an occlusion rim, a mouth prop, and tongue retractor. Use of this stent has resulted in consistently programming the placement of implant fixtures that are prosthodontically ideal.

The use of processed silicone to retain the implant-supported tissue-borne overdenture.

A technique is described for constructing the implant-retained overdenture with heat-polymerized silicone that is processed around undercuts in a round bar framework connecting the implants. An acrylic resin circular rest contacting the bar ensures that the implants are loaded in occlusion for stress distribution over the fixtures.

An improved index for the waxed stage of an implant-retained framework.

A method for making an improved index for the waxed stage of Branemark implant-retained frameworks is described. The index improves visibility of the tooth and abutment cylinder relationship permitting the optimization of framework dimensions and contour.

A simplified technique for fabricating esthetic cast metal occlusal surfaces for dentures.

This article describes a simplified method for making esthetic cast metal occlusal surfaces. Monoplane posterior acrylic resin block teeth, cast in a nickel-chrome alloy, are coated with silane and an esthetic composite resin veneer is applied to the buccal surface. These veneered posterior metal teeth are incorporated in the wax setup and the dentures are processed and finished. The dentist's routine technique for delivering dentures to the patient can be followed.