Overdentures

Overdentures can be classified into two types: those supported by soft tissue and implants or teeth and those supported purely by implants. Overdentures supported by soft tissue and implants or teeth are supported by the implants and soft tissues and retained by the implants. For this to be practical in the parasymphyseal area, the retainers (implants or teeth) must be in a position that allows construction of a straight bar (Fig. 5-3). With this arrangement, several internal clips can rotate around the bar, which allows the posterior overdenture saddles to be soft tissue borne, so that they may take some of the stress from the implants or teeth. If the bar is placed in the anterior region and, because of the location of the implant or implants, must be curved to conform to the shape of the arch, the overdenture does not rotate on the bar, and the posterior saddles may act as levers, tending to loosen the retaining screws, cement, abutments, or the implants themselves (Fig. 5-4).

FIGURE 5-3. Two root form implants support this coping bar splint. To enable the superstructure-overdenture to distribute stress to the posterior ridges, the bar must be straight, allowing the Hader clip retainers to rotate during masticatory function.

FIGURE 5-4. When splinting implants require a curved bar, the superstructure attachment must permit rotation (i.e., “sloppy fit”) to allow for tongue space (see Fig. 5-15).

From an engineering standpoint, splinting implants with bars and copings, rather then using them individually, is preferable. Mesostructure bars are available in various shapes and configurations, and the type used depends on the location, length, and number of implants to be placed; the percentage of surface area surrounded by bone (osseointegration); and the type of retention devices selected (e.g., Locators, clips, O-rings, Zest, Ceka, ERA). Bar-borne overdentures are both supported and retained by their bars (Figs. 5-5 and 5-6), which in turn should be supported by four or more root form implants 10 mm long or longer, by transosteals, or by subperiosteal implants.

FIGURE 5-5. A, A maxillary pterygohamular subperiosteal implant designed with a Brookdale bar offers total implant-borne support of the superstructure. B, A denture superstructure designed to be bar-retained with internal clips.

FIGURE 5-6. A mandibular subperiosteal implant with a Brookdale bar designed to offer full infrastructural support.

Fixed Bridges

Fixed bridges may be supported completely by implants, or they may be used in conjunction with natural tooth abutments (Figs. 5-7 and 5-8). In both cases, construction begins after transepithelial abutment (TEA) placement (by spline, frictional fit, or threading) and is completed with the implantologist’s preferred prosthetic techniques. Various attachments or interlocks between the implants and the natural abutments may be chosen (e.g., DE Hinges, Dalbo, Crismani, Mini Rest, Tube and Screw). These provide stress-breaking features that may be important, because the support mechanisms differ so dramatically between implants and natural teeth.

FIGURE 5-7. A, Fixed prostheses that are completely implant supported often are used when osseointegration has been established. These three abutments have been prepared to receive a cement-retained bridge. B, These three castings were splinted to allow force distribution. C, A fixed prosthesis of porcelain baked to noble metal is cemented into position over the three implant abutments.

FIGURE 5-8. A, Precision attachments or other interlock devices can be used to couple cemented implant abutments with the abutments of natural teeth. Transfer of the relationship of all abutments is made to a working cast. B, The components of the fixed prosthesis are fabricated with interlocks placed at strategic sites. These allow for the varying support mechanisms of natural and implant abutments. C, When implants are managed with interlocks, esthetic and physiologic restorations are created.

Fixed-Detachable Bridges

The fixed-detachable bridge is a prosthesis that can be removed by the dentist but not by the patient. Screws attach the bridge to the implants, to their abutments, or to an interposed mesostructure bar. These prostheses most often are completely implant borne (Fig. 5-9). However, natural tooth abutments may be incorporated into implant bridges through the use of semiprecision attachments or internally threaded telescopic copings (Fig. 5-10). The techniques used to produce fixed-detachable bridges are by far the most complicated, and the opportunities for error are numerous. (Before selecting this method, the implantologist should review chapters 22, 23, and 24.) The benefits of being able to remove these bridges must be balanced against the difficulties involved in their fabrication, the cost, the potential for postinsertion complications, and the restoring dentist’s willingness to manage them.

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