Prosthetic Challenges Research Articles

Tackling Impediments: Bespoke Solutions for Optimized Implant Outcomes

The field of implantology has transformed dental restoration, yet significant challenges persist that can impede successful treatment outcomes. This review examines the technical and biological roadblocks encountered in dental implant procedures, highlighting the vital role of tailored innovations in overcoming these obstacles. Advances in materials science, digital technology, and surgical techniques are crucial for enhancing osseointegration and ensuring overall implant success. Common complications include surgical issues such as infections and nerve damage, prosthetic challenges like misalignment and aesthetic concerns, and biological threats such as peri-implantitis and bone loss. To combat these, proactive management strategies—encompassing meticulous preoperative planning, regular monitoring, and personalized solutions—are essential for improving patient care. This review underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration of prosthodontists, oral surgeons, periodontists and oral radiologists in mitigating risks and presents effective management strategies to optimize outcomes. By elevating awareness of potential complications and implementing precise diagnosis and treatment planning, practitioners can significantly enhance the longevity and effectiveness of dental implants, ultimately securing a better quality of life for patients.

Prosthetic Management of Malpositioned Implant in RPD Case Report

Removable dentures in classe I KENNEDY APPLEGATE remain an essential prosthetic challenge as support is required from the teeth, the mucosa, and the underlying residual ridges. Dental implants can improve denture retention, stability, and support in distal extension removable partial denture. However, a malpositioned implant can complicate tooth/implant-supported condition. This case report describe a 66-year-old female patient treated with maxillary implant -supported removable partial denture (RPD). Both the implants were placed in first premolar site. However, the implant on the left side presented severe facial inclination. We suggest that the discharge of the prosthetic edge with using a laboratory non retentive nylon Patrice’s on the Intaglio of metal housing locator attachment can solve the problem of denture insertion.

Rehabilitation of maxillary arch with attachment-retained reinforced single complete denture

Abstract Introduction: Fracture of maxillary complete denture is a common problem for dentists and denture wearers, occurring especially when it is opposing mandibular natural teeth or fixed and implant-sustained restorations; to prevent it, various methods and materials are available. Case presentation: This case is of a patient losing his old maxillary removable partial denture due to the mobility of the frontal abutments. Considering the age of the patient and the status of the mandibular arch, completely restored and having a mix of natural teeth, fixed and implant-sustained restorations, the functional and esthetic rehabilitation of the maxillary arch, and also the long-term resistance of the denture, are a serious prosthetic challenge. An association between ball attachments, metal-casted reinforcement and masking agents for both are described, underlying their role in the treatment’s succes. Conclusion: The age and health status of the patient and the situation of the mandibular arch imposed the construction of a functional, strong and stable maxillary denture; the technique described in this article offers a good functional and esthetical result and benefits the patient, even if the implant-prosthetic therapy is not available.

Immediate Teeth in Fibulas: Expanded Clinical Applications and Surgical Technique

The placement of immediate implants and teeth during jaw reconstruction using a fibula free flap has increased in recent years. Modifications of traditional fibula reconstructive techniques are needed to maximize success. This technique has not been described in patients requiring simultaneous soft tissue reconstruction. Our patient cohort includes cases with malignant pathology and those requiring skin paddles. With digital workflows and point-of-care 3D printing, surgery is no longer delayed weeks for prosthesis fabrication. The purpose of this case series is to demonstrate a single institution's experience with expanded clinical applications and surgical techniques that enable predictable outcomes for immediate teeth in fibula flaps. Ninety-five implants were placed in 22 patients undergoing fibula reconstruction of the jaw with immediate implants and an immediate dental prosthesis. Skin paddles were used in 10 patients while 12 patients had native mucosa. Six patients were treated for malignancies and underwent postoperative radiation. Implant success and complications were compared between implants with skin paddles and implants with native mucosa. Of 95 implants, 92 implants integrated for a 97% integration rate. All 13 radiated implants in 4 patients integrated. All 36 implants adjacent to skin paddles in 10 patients integrated. Seven implants were lost in a delayed fashion 9 to 15 months postoperatively resulting in a 93% overall implant success rate. Of the 22 patients, diagnoses were benign pathology for 11 patients, malignant pathology for 6 patients, gunshot wounds for 3 patients, and osteoradionecrosis for 2 patients. Immediate placement of dental prostheses on immediate implants during fibula reconstruction of the jaws can be performed with a high rate of predictability. This technique can be expanded to select patients needing skin paddles. Modifications of traditional fibula reconstructive techniques are helpful to minimize soft tissue and prosthetic challenges.

Combined bone- and mucosa-supported 3D-printed guide for sinus slot preparation and prosthetically driven zygomatic implant placement

The use of zygomatic implants to rehabilitate the severely atrophic maxilla has been well documented since first being introduced by Brånemark. Placement of zygomatic implants is technically complex, with catastrophic complications and numerous prosthetic challenges resulting from imprecise placement. The purpose of this report was to demonstrate a technique that allows transfer of the preoperatively planned sinus slot position to the surgical field by using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and an implant planning software program to fabricate a combined bone- and mucosa-supported 3D-printed surgical guide. This facilitates optimal zygomatic implant positioning and promotes favorable biomechanics with a predictable prosthetic outcome.

Accuracy Evaluation of 14 Maxillary Full Arch Implant Treatments Performed with Da Vinci Bridge: A Case Series.

The use of pterygoid implants can be an attractive alternative to sinus bone grafting in the treatment of posterior atrophic maxilla. This technique has not been widely used because of the difficulty of the surgical access, the presence of vital structures, and the prosthetic challenges. The use of dynamic computer aided implantology (DCAI) allows the clinician to utilize navigation dental implant surgery, which allows the surgeon to follow the osteotomy site and implant positioning in real time. A total of 14 patients (28 pterygoid implants and 56 intersinusal implants) were enrolled in the study for a full arch implant prosthetic rehabilitation (4 frontal implants and 2 pterygoids implants), using a dynamic navigation system. The reported accuracy of pterygoid implants inserted using DCAI was 0.72 mm at coronal point, 1.25 mm at apical 3D, 0.66 mm at apical depth, and 2.86° as angular deviation. The use of pterygoid implants in lieu of bone grafting represents a valid treatment opportunity to carry out a safe, accurate, and minimally invasive surgery, while reducing treatment time and avoiding cantilevers for a full implant prosthetic rehabilitation of the upper arch.

Short implant in limited bone volume.

Rehabilitation of severely resorbed jaws with dental implants remains a surgical and prosthetic challenge for clinicians. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the available data on short-length implants and discuss their indications and limitations in daily clinical practice. A structured review of MEDLINE and a manual search were conducted. Thirty-two case series devoted to short-length implants, 14 reviews and 3 randomized controlled trials were identified. Of this group of papers, we can conclude that short-length implants can be successfully used to support single and multiple fixed reconstructions in posterior atrophied jaws, even in those with increased crown-to-implant ratios. The use of short-length implants allows treatment of patients who are unable to undergo complex surgical techniques for medical, anatomic or financial reasons. Moreover, the use of short-length implants in daily clinical practice reduces the need for complex surgeries, thus reducing morbidity, cost and treatment time. The use of short implants promotes the new concept of stress-minimizing surgery, allowing the surgeon to focus more on the correct three-dimensional positioning of the implant.

Esthetic and function rehabilitation of severely worn dentition with prosthetic-restorative approach and VDO increase. Case report

The aim of this study is to report a case of restorative treatment of severely worn dentition. In this case report, the erosive/abrasive worn dentition have been reconstructed with metal ceramic crown on the posterior teeth and with ceramic veneers on the anterior teeth 1.3 - 2.3 and 3.4 - 4.3. A prosthetic treatment was proposed to a male patient of 58 years old having a clinically significant tooth wear. After clinical exam, impressions of maxillary and mandible arches were taken with alginate to obtain preliminary casts for diagnostic waxing to all maxillary and mandibular teeth and fabrication of all provisional crowns in acrylic resin for posterior teeth, and from the diagnostic wax-up were fabricated a silicone guide masks for anterior teeth. An increase in VDO should be determined on the basis of a need to accomplish satisfactory and aesthetically pleasing restorations; it was proposed to increase the incisal lenght of the maxillary anterior incisors, together with alteration of the VDO 3 mm anteriorly. The posterior teeth 1.6 - 1.5 - 1.4 - 2.4 - 2.6 - 3.5 - 3.6 - 3.7 - 4.4 - 4.7, where the amount of tissue lost was greater, were recontructed with metal ceramic crowns. Two implants (Nobel replace 4.3x10) was placed. The implant were located in the area 4.5 - 4.6. The anterior teeth were restored with veneers. The prosthetic challenge with restoring severely worn dentitions is to preserve as much of the already diminished tooth structure as possible for retention while also providing enough interocclusal space for the restorative material.

Management of Malaligned Implants with Removable Prosthetics

When patients present with poorly aligned implants restoration can be a prosthetic challenge. This becomes even more problematic when the fixtures are too apical to the palatal hard and soft tissue. Removable prosthetics can overcome the esthetic challenges to these cases and yield acceptable results.

An alveolar ridge augmentation using connective tissue graft to improve esthetics in anterior fixed partial denture

The term localized alveolar ridge defect refers to a volumetric deficit of the limited extent of bone and soft tissue within the alveolar process. Esthetically correct treatment of a localized alveolar ridge defect is a common prosthetic challenge. A clinical report was presented that combined the fixed prosthodontics with the soft tissue ridge augmentation for a patient with ridge defect to attain maximum esthetics and functions.

Long-term evaluation of 282 implants in maxillary and mandibular molar positions: a prospective study.

Placement of implants into molar positions presents diagnostic, surgical and prosthetic challenges. There are few reported studies for implants placed into molar positions. The purpose of this prospective longitudinal study is to report long-term clinical outcomes for 282 implants placed into molar positions. Two-hundred-twelve patients received 282 implants. Implant size, location, jaw shape, and bone quality were recorded for all implants placed into molar positions. Seventy implants were inserted in maxillae and 212 in mandibles. Marginal bone level changes in maxillae and mandibles were measured from non-standardized periapical radiographs taken at abutment connection and an average follow-up of 3.9 years. Mesial-distal implant measurements were made from the top of the implant cylinder to the first point of bone to implant contact. In mandibles, 39 implants were used for single molar replacements, 67 implants were placed into excellent bone quality (type I) and 113 were in good bone quality (type 11); 145 implants were placed into bone with moderate bone resorption (type B); 166 implants were placed in first molar positions and 46 in second molar sites. At 6 years the cumulative success rate (CSR) for mandibular implants is 91.5%, and the success rate from the 2 to 3 year follow-up is 100%. Of the 70 implants placed in maxillae, 16 replaced single molars. Thirty-two implants were placed in jaw shape B with type 2-bone quality. For maxillary implants, the 6-year CSR was 82.9% and the success rate remained steady at 100% after the 2 to 3 year follow-up. For maxillary implants, at abutment connection the average marginal bone level was 1.67 mm, while at follow-up it was 1.98 mm. These differences were statistically significant (P = 0.04), but are not considered to be clinically significant. For mandibular implants, at abutment connection the mean marginal bone level as measured from radiographs was 2.11 mm, and at follow-up was 2.02 mm. This slight gain in bone level was not statistically significant and is not considered to be clinically significant. Results of this prospective longitudinal study of implants placed into molar positions indicates favorable clinical outcomes. These CSR rates (91.5% mandibles, 82.9% maxillae) are less than what has been reported for implants placed into mandibular and maxillary anterior segments. Differences in outcomes between anterior and posterior locations may be related to bone quality and quantity.

A Flexible, Air-Permeable Socket Prosthesis for Bilateral Hip Disarticulation and Hemicorporectomy Amputees

Active people with congenital absence or amputation of both lower limbs present fundamental prosthetic challenges that have not previously been addressed in the known literature. Those challenges are heat dissipation and the avoidance of thoracic skin shear trauma. The latter challenge is more significant in the subgroup of such people whose amputations are tertiary to spinal cord injury and pressure sores. The design reported in this paper consists of an air-permeable fabric socket suspended within a shell frame that promotes heat dissipation, reduces skin shear trauma, and permits upright weight-bearing and practical wheelchair function and mobility. The prosthesis is independent of the wheelchair and is self-suspending during transfers and nonwheelchair mobility. The prosthesis does not include legs and feet.