Occlusal-view photograph of a cement-retained implant prosthesis as a permanent guide for access-hole preparation

Abstract

Implant-supported fixed restorations can be screw-retained or cement-retained. Pjetursson et al 1 Pjetursson BE Brägger U Lang NP Zwahlen M Comparison of survival and complication rates of tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) and implant-supported FDPs and single crowns (SCs). Clin Oral Implants Res. 2007; 18: 97-113 Crossref PubMed Scopus (560) Google Scholar and Papaspyridakos et al 2 Papaspyridakos P Chen CJ Chuang SK Weber HP Gallucci GO A systematic review of biologic and technical complications with fixed implant rehabilitations for edentulous patients. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2012; 27: 102-110 PubMed Google Scholar observed that the most frequent technical complications with implant restorations were fracture or chipping of the veneer ceramic, abutment or screw loosening, screw fracture, and loss of retention. These complications necessitate the restorations to be removed, repaired, and reinserted as needed. For removal of cement-retained implant prostheses, it is necessary to access the abutment from the occlusal surface. Locating the site of entry for access-hole preparation to the abutment-screw has been described by several authors. 3 Doerr J Simplified technique for retrieving cemented implant restorations. J Prosthet Dent. 2002; 88: 352-353 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (41) Google Scholar , 4 Tarlow JL A modified technique to locate the abutment screw access opening of a cemented implant-supported restoration. J Prosthet Dent. 2012; 108: 58-59 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (17) Google Scholar , 5 Hill EE A simple, permanent index for abutment screw access for cemented implant-supported crowns. J Prosthet Dent. 2007; 97: 313-314 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (12) Google Scholar , 6 Schwedhelm ER Raigrodski AJ A technique for locating implant abutment screws of posterior cement-retained metal-ceramic restorations with ceramic occlusal surfaces. J Prosthet Dent. 2006; 95: 165-167 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (45) Google Scholar , 7 Figueras-Alvarez O Cedeño R Cano-Batalla J Cabratosa-Termes J A method for registering the abutment screw position of cement-retained implant restorations. J Prosthet Dent. 2010; 104: 60-62 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (26) Google Scholar Doerr 3 Doerr J Simplified technique for retrieving cemented implant restorations. J Prosthet Dent. 2002; 88: 352-353 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (41) Google Scholar and Tarlow 4 Tarlow JL A modified technique to locate the abutment screw access opening of a cemented implant-supported restoration. J Prosthet Dent. 2012; 108: 58-59 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (17) Google Scholar explained an access-gaining technique by using a vacuum-formed matrix with holes corresponding to abutment positions in which the clinician must preserve the original casts or a vacuum-formed matrix. Hill 5 Hill EE A simple, permanent index for abutment screw access for cemented implant-supported crowns. J Prosthet Dent. 2007; 97: 313-314 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (12) Google Scholar described preservation of a putty index for the same reason. Schwedhelm and Raigrodski 6 Schwedhelm ER Raigrodski AJ A technique for locating implant abutment screws of posterior cement-retained metal-ceramic restorations with ceramic occlusal surfaces. J Prosthet Dent. 2006; 95: 165-167 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (45) Google Scholar described a technique which requires placement of a small ceramic stain on the occlusal surface of the restoration during fabrication. Figueras-Alvarez et al 7 Figueras-Alvarez O Cedeño R Cano-Batalla J Cabratosa-Termes J A method for registering the abutment screw position of cement-retained implant restorations. J Prosthet Dent. 2010; 104: 60-62 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (26) Google Scholar advocated the preservation of a photograph in a computer file as part of the patient's permanent record; however, it involved using complex editing software to superpose 2 digital photographs of the definitive cast with and without the restoration.