Where would we be without the gift of dental implants today ? In light of a growing elderly population, Dr Fenton presents a journey through treatment of edentulous patients from the pre-implant times in dentistry till today's advanced options and future advances and opportunities...

The open tray technique for making a definitive impression is one of two choices (the other being a closed tray impression) in the fabrication of a fixed complete denture. The open tray technique is specifically indicated, when the implants are not...

At this appointment, the prosthesis framework is evaluated for accuracy of fit, appropriate contour to faciltate oral hygiene access and the necessary balance of structural morphology for rigidity/strength and sufficient space to...

Placement of a provisional prosthesis takes place by attaching the conversion denture (either patient's exisiting prosthesis or a new conversion denture) to the implants or to implant abutments. The provisional prosthesis can be...

The trial placement appointment is a significant one for successful edentulous patient care. It will be the first time that dentist and patient can see what has been created in the laboratory; and a decision will then be one...

One goal in the treatment of the fully edentulous patient is to re-establish the maxillo-mandibular relation in the transversal and sagittal dimensions comprising adequate facial height. The occlusal contact situation be...

It is important to evaluate whether the implants are parallel to each other. If the implants are fairly parallel to each other (Fig 1) a closed tray impression technique can be employed. Since the implants are parallel to each other, the polymerized...

In vitro research studies have compared splinted versus unsplinted impression techniques and have, in general, shown that the splinted impression technique yields more accurate master casts when compared to a reference...

The goals of an impression are to accurately capture tissue contours necessary and relevant for fabrication of a prosthesis that adapts well to mucosa or a prosthesis that fits well and passively on implants...

A fixed implant prosthesis is completely anchored and supported by dental implants. There are different terms used to describe a fixed implant prosthesis, such as fixed complete denture, fixed detachable prosthesis, the hybrid prosthesis, or the...

Attachment selection

The relative merits of different prosthodontic treatment objectives - resilient versus rigid attachments - are controversial and empirical. A resilient retention mechanism is recommended on the assumption that this will protect implants from overload; while in...

At post-placement visits, the same factors evaluated carefully at the placement appointment should be reviewed and adjusted where necessary. Overdenture base fit, extensions, occlusion, esthetics, function, comfort and overall patient...

Placement of a removable prosthesis requires attention to detail to cover all important clinical items such prosthesis fit, denture base extensions, esthetics, occlusion, patient comfort and post-insertion instructions. Implant overdentures may or may not...

The trial placement appointment is a significant one for successful edentulous patient care.
The tooth arrangement (set-up) provides a tangible orientation index of the teeth’s spatial positions in relation to each...

Accurate and repeatable recording of patient’s maxillo-mandibular relationships are essential for all types of oral rehabilitation. They provide essential clinical documentation that enables dentists and technicians to create...