Clinical Performance of Short Dental Implants – CAD/CAM Customized Abutment for Soft Tissue

1. Case Report : The Tripod Configuration for Implant Retained Overdentures Offers More Flexibility with GPSTM Abutments By Dr. Alessandro Onesti

The patient presented with compromised residual elements of the l wer arch and a poorly adapting removable partial denture. Extractions were performed and a temporary complete lower denture was placed and relined with soft material. 3 months later the patient was ready for implant treatment. Treatment goals included improvement of lower denture stability, with hygienic and easy to maintain intra-oral components.

2. Rehabilitation of the Anterior Maxilla with Guide Bone Regeneration and a Dental Implant Supported Prosthesis: A Case Report By Dr. Manesh Lahori, Dr. Lanka Mahesh, Dr. Rahul Nagrath, D. Dipta

With the increased popularity of implants and focus on esthetics, there is great emphasis on idealized bone foundation and soft tissue contours. The goal of reconstructive procedurs is to provide ideal peri-implant bone that supports and maintains gingival contours. Here we present a case with alveolar ridge deficiency in the maxillary anterior region and the surgical procedure done to achieve final platform for implant placement.

3. An Invitation to Enter a New Field of Dental Implant Surface Modifications: A Review By Dr. Preeti Pachauri, Dr. Lakshmana Rao Bathala, Dr. Rajashek-Ar Sangur, Dr. Tanu Mahajan

Titanium dental implants have been used successfully used for centuries but they have serious shortcomings related to their osseointegration and the fact that their mechanical properties do not match those of bone. Current trends in dental implant therapy include use of endosseous dental implant surfaces embellished with nanoscale topographies. The objective of this review article is to summarize the role of nanoscale surface modifications of titanium dental implants for the purpose of improving osseointegration, along with merits and demerits of surface modifications and various techniques that can impart nanoscale topographic features to dental implants.

4. Clinical and Radiological Performance of Short Dental Implants (6.5mm): 2 years Follow Up By Jean-Nicolas Hasson, Jacques Hassid, Dominique Aubazac, Paul Zeman

Reconstruction of missing teeth in posterior areas has been always hampered by the limited bone availability and insufficient bone quality. The aim this paper was to assess the clinical and radiological performance of short (6.5mm) implants inserted in the premolar and molar regions of the maxilla. Implants were restored as single crowns or fixed span bridges and followed up for 2 years.

5. The use of Milled CAD/CAM Customized Abutments to Control Soft Tissues in the Aesthetic Zone: A Case Study By Dr. Tim Doswell, Steve Campbell

The restoration of implants in the aesthetic zone remains one of the great challenges in restorative dentistry. The central incisor is a particular challenge, with mismatches in symmetry usually being very obvious to the patient and observer. The symmetry of a central incisor is not only defined by the colour characteristics and shape of the restoration, but also by the soft tissue architecture of the peri-implant tissues. In addition to this, the loss of the interdental papillae may also compromise the final aesthetic result. One of the traditional methods for controlling the soft tissues in the aesthetic zone is to fit a provisional crown to a modified pre-formed abutment, and adjust the emergence profile of this crown until a satisfactory soft tissue level has been achieved. By default though, this means that the provisional crown, and the permanent successor, may have a deeper cement margin. There is increasing evidence that this may increase the risk of peri-implant diseases such as peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis because of the risk of incomplete removal of the cement during fitting of the restoration which may go undetected. This article discusses the merits of using milled CAD/CAM customised abutments in the aesthetic zone and a technique to control the healing of the soft tissues around them so that the use of a modified preformed abutment fitted with provisional crowns to control the soft tissues may be avoided.