Abstract
About two years have passed since prosthetic treatment using osseointegrated implants have been introduced as a method of functionally and esthetically restoring edentulous patients. The introduction of the bone anchored bridge making use of osseointegrated implants has been good news for edentulous patients. However, although maintenance, which is a determining factor in the prognosis of implant prosthetics, is Just as important as it is for natural teeth, the problem arises that highly developed brushing techniques are required of the patient depending on the location and direction of placement of the implants. In addition, although bone anchored bridges have been fabricated using the conventional combination of artificial teeth and base resin that have been used for traditional dentures, there has recently been an increase in patients requesting a higher level of esthetics.
The problems of function and esthetics of implant prosthetics have recently become a more important theme than they were in the past. Because we have again become aware of the importance of diagnosis and treatment planning that fulfills the requirements of both, there have recently been a large number of papers on this subject. Although the techniques and methods of these reports differ, they all express a common view that the location and direction of placement of the implant is an important factor in satisfying function and esthetics.
In this case of an edentulous patient where a full denture was indicated for the maxilla and a bone anchored bridge with ITI implants was indicated in the mandible, a more esthetic superstructure design was selected by making use of provisional restorations and a surgical splint of twin tube steel. It should also be noted that greater esthetics were attained through build up of hard resin on the framework.
