Fig 3.2 (A) The implant fixture comes in a sterile vial which is covered further in a non-sterile packaging which shows all the details of the implant like its make, diameter, length, batch no, expiry, company name, etc. (B) The inner sterile vial contains implant fixture, its mount, and cover screw.

Fig 3.3 Figure showing the implant and its components which the implant packet usually contains.

Fig 3.4 (A–H) Implant fixture surface being highly sterile should not be touched with gloved hand or any instrument, to avoid surface contamination. Thus an implant mount is used to carry the implant from its vial to the prepared osteotomy. This mount can be fitted to the ratchet and used to place the implant into the prepared osteotomy. Once the implant gets adequately engaged in the osteotomy, the mount can be removed and the implant can be further screwed in, using a long implant driver.

Fig 3.5 A few manufacturers do not provide the implant mount with the implant, but an implant driver from the surgical kit, connected to hand piece, is used to carry the implant from its sterile vial to the prepared osteotomy.

(Courtesy: Dentium implants, Seoul, Korea)

Fig 3.6 The cover screw usually comes with the implant fixture in its sterile vial, and is used to cover the implant connection during its submerged healing period.

Fig 3.7 (A–D) Once the implant is completely seated in the prepared osteotomy, its connection is covered with the cover screw to prevent any soft tissue ingression in the connection. The cover screw is used in the submerged healing protocol, and therefore the flap is sutured back to cover it.

Fig 3.8 The cover screw is replaced with long healing abutment/gingival former to form a healthy entry to the implant through the soft tissue.

(Courtesy: Alpha-Bio Implant Systems, Israel)

Fig 3.9 (A–H) In the two-stage (submerged healing) implant healing protocol, the implant is uncovered with incision or using a soft tissue punch, after it get osseointegrated with the bone and the cover screw is replaced with a gingival former. The gingival former is left in place for a minimum for 2 to 3 weeks to achieve a healed soft tissue around the implant platform.

Fig 3.10 (A–C) In the one-stage (non-submerged) implant healing protocol; the gingival former is inserted over the implant immediately after implant insertion.

Fig 3.11 Once soft tissue gets healed, the gingival former is removed and an impression abutment is inserted to make the impression.

Fig 3.12 (A and B) Closed tray impression posts (left) with shallow retention grooves and short connection screw and open tray impression posts (right) with deep retention grooves and long fixation screws. (C) Closed tray posts connected to implants in the mouth before making impression.

Fig 3.13 (A) Open tray posts inserted to the implants, (B and C) the long connection screws of the posts are emerging out of the impression tray. (D) The connection screws should be unscrewed before removing impression from the implant so that the post comes out embedded in the impression.

Fig 3.14 (A and B) Impression post is removed from the mouth and assembled with the implant analogue which has different body; but the connection is exactly similar to the implant.

Fig 3.15 (A–G) The post is assembled with the implant analogue and seated into the impression with the same orientation as in the mouth. The impression is first poured with soft tissue replicating material (Gi-Mask) followed by dental stone. The impression post removed from the cast and final abutment of choice is inserted.

Fig 3.16 (A and B) An appropriate final abutment in inserted to the analogue at the working cast and the prosthesis is fabricated onto it. (C–E) The gingival former is removed from the implant and the final abutment is transferred from the cast to the implant, with the same orientation. (F) The prosthesis is fixed onto it.

Fig 3.17 Various types of abutments used in implantology for different kinds of implant prostheses.

(Courtesy: Alpha-Bio implant system, Israel)

Fig 3.18 (A) Ball abutments are screwed over the implants in the patient’s mouth. (B) Metal housings (caps) in the denture. When the overdenture is seated in the mouth, these metal housings get locked over the ball abutments and thus provide adequate retention of the denture.

Fig 3.19 Different kinds of abutments and connection screw. (A) Straight abutment with short gingival collar. (B) Straight abutment with long gingival collar for deep seated implants. (C) Straight abutment with long gold-hued gingival collar to avoid see-through of the black metal collar through thin marginal soft tissues. (D) Long straight abutment for long crown height. (E) Angled abutment to correct angulation problem of the implant prosthesis. (F) Anatomical (aesthetic collar) abutment for maxillary anterior implant. (G) Angled abutment with gold-hued aesthetic collar. (H and I) Plastic (castable) abutments (straight and angled) for screw-retained prosthesis. (J) Temporary abutment to immediately temporize the implant. (K) Zirconium abutment for the metal free zirconium prosthesis. (L) TCT abutment for abutment level, screw-retained, fixed prosthesis or bar-retained dentures. (M) Ball abutment for ball retained overdenture (metal cap – above). (N) Angled ball abutment for overdenture to correct angulation problem. (O) Non-engaging abutment. (P) UCLA abutment. (Q) Connection screw.

(Courtesy: Alpha-Bio implant system, Israel)

Fig 3.20 (A) Multiunit abutment connected to the implant fixture. (B) TCT abutment is fixed over the multiunit abutment. (C) To deliver a screw-retained prosthesis (all on 4) to the patient.

(Courtesy: Alpha-Bio implant system, Israel)