Implants Continued »
implants were positioned in an area where the bone had sufficient thickness, height and consistency. Surgery was performed in two phases,
as covering the implants with soft tissues ensure healing without occlusal trauma. When the implants were uncovered and the healing screws positioned, the dimensions of the prosthesis were evalu- ated. The implants resulted to be by a vestibular level compared to the lower mounting middle ridge, as much to emerge completely within the vestibular flange in resin (Fig ı). It was decided not to proceed with a
single abutment rehabilitation process considering the uncertain aesthetic and functional outcomes as well as the exces- sive fragility of the buccal flange when subjected to masticatory loads (Fig 2). The only possible solution, considering the minimal space available, was the construc- tion of a UCLA Bar, using the new low profile castable Equator attachments. (Fig 3) The silicon mask of the pre-existing prosthesis was necessary in order to assess the available space. The use of the castable attachments
allowed for an increase of the stability of the prosthesis, by positioning them on a virtual connective line in order to create the famous ‘stability area’ (Figs 4 and 5). Once the bar was cast, the process was halfway to completion (Fig 6). Since a full resin prosthesis would most probably break in a short amount of time, a rein- forcement structure using pre-fabricated castable components directly on the master model was performed. The main objective was to use every
single millimeter of space available. Wax was used to eliminate the external reten- tive zones outside the metal housings, which were inserted on the Equator ‘males’ (Fig 7). The structure was then completed with a distal extension covering the entire bar using resin in order to obtain the space to paste the containers in a passive connec- tion once the reinforcement structure was cast (Figs 8 and 9). The metal structure was then pre- covered with pink opaque material and
“The main objective was to use every single millimetre of space available”
42 Ireland’s Dental magazine Fig 7
Fig 8
Fig 9
Fig 10
Fig 11
Fig 12
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