Evaluation of interarch space for implant restorations in edentulous patients: A laboratory technique

This article describes a laboratory procedure for the visual evaluation of interarch space and its effect on implant prosthesis design. The method is applicable to patients presenting with completely edentulous arches. Silicone impression material is used to form a resilient cast and an external mold from an existing denture. The denture is duplicated using autopolymerizing acrylic resin. The duplicate denture and resilient cast are mounted on an articulator. Spatial relationships of anatomic landmarks can be evaluated, and a quantitative evaluation of available space can be made. The duplicate denture can also be used as a surgical template to direct implant placement. Reference tables are provided to serve as guidelines in the correlation between available space and minimum space required for various implant-assisted restorations.     

A prosthetic solution to restoring the edentulous mandible with limited interarch space using an implant-tissue-supported overdenture: a clinical report

An implant-retained overdenture retained with 2 implants placed in the anterior edentulous mandible is a simple and predictable treatment option. The fabrication and use of this prosthesis requires satisfactory interarch space for adequate denture base thickness and esthetics. This clinical report describes the use of low-profile attachments for this overdenture design to solve the problem of limited interarch space.     

An alternative method for restoring single-tooth implants

BACKGROUND: Having laboratory technicians prepare soft-tissue casts and implant abutments with or without concomitant removable temporary prostheses during the restorative phase of single-tooth replacement is an accepted practice. It can, however, result in functional and esthetic intraoral discrepancies. CASE DESCRIPTION: Single-tooth implants can be restored with crowns (like those for natural teeth) fabricated at a dental laboratory on casts obtained from final impressions of prepared implant abutments. In the case reported, the restorative dentist restored the patient's single-tooth implant after taking a transfer impression. He constructed a cast simulating the peri-implant soft tissue with final impression material and prepared the abutment on this model. His dental assistant then fabricated a fixed provisional restoration on the prepared abutment. At the patient's next visit, the dentist torqued the prepared abutment onto the implant, took a final impression and inserted the provisional restoration. A crown was made conventionally at the dental laboratory and cemented in place at the following visit. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This alternative method for restoring single-tooth implants enhances esthetics by more accurately simulating marginal gingival architecture. It also improves function by preloading the implant through fixed temporization after the dentist, rather than the laboratory technician, prepares the abutment to the dentist's preferred contours.     

An alternative method for securing suction drains.

A reliable method of securing suction drain tubing is presented. It ensures that the tubing lies flat on the skin and runs in the direction the surgeon wishes. The method uses an adhesive tape (Elastoplast) 'flag' on the tubing.     

An alternative method for fabricating a custom-made metal post with a ceramic core

Abstract –  The restoration of anterior non-vital teeth with metal posts and cores and all-ceramic restorations may lead to compromised esthetics because of the semitranslucence of ceramics and the metallic color of the underlying post and cores. This article presents a technique that combines the optical properties of ceramic cores with the mechanical properties of custom-made cast metal posts. The technique involves heat pressing of the core from leucite-enriched glass-ceramic to the underlying custom-made metal post and may provide additional esthetic benefit for anterior teeth especially with little remaining coronal dentin and with small root volume.     

An alternative method for splinting of traumatized teeth: case reports

Abstract –  Injuries to the dentoalveolar complex are fairly common and can be caused by a number of reasons. There are many techniques for repositioning and stabilizing traumatically luxated or avulsed teeth. Many of the splinting techniques previously advocated were time-consuming. Not only were the splints difficult to fabricate and difficult to remove, they also contributed to injury of the soft and hard supporting tissues. Ribbond (Ribbond Inc., Seattle, Wash) is basically a reinforced ribbon which is made from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber having an ultrahigh modulus. It is used in dentistry for various purposes. The use of Ribbond appears to be an adequate and easy method for stabilization and fixation. It can be used in the treatment of dental injuries. In this article the use of Ribbond for the treatment of dentoalveolar injuries is described.