Same day implant bridge for full-arch implant fixed rehabilitation.

Abstract

To report an alternative clinical and laboratory protocol for same-day implant fixed full-arch provisional rehabilitation that may overcome limitations associated with traditional immediate provisional denture conversion rehabilitation protocols. The traditional denture conversion fabrication method of an immediate full-arch fixed provisional involves the conversion of a complete denture into a provisional fixed implant-support prosthesis. The conversion technique has several shortcomings which compromise structural integrity, longevity, ease of modification, and the need for a silicone impression. The "Same day" implant bridge (SDIB) concept provides clinical and laboratory advantages which overcome the limitations of the traditional denture conversion technique. This article reviews the rationale, clinical stages, and conventional fabrication sequence of the SDIB concept. Compared to the traditional denture conversion method for immediate implant bridge fabrication, the SDIB technique offers the following advantages for implant-supported fixed rehabilitation: rapid fabrication, improved structural integrity and rigidity, elimination of all silicone impressions, ease of modification to promote comfort, function and adaptability, and favorable esthetics.