Management of the Edentulous Patient: Removable Implant Prostheses

Abstract

For an edentulous patient who does not wish to cope with mastication impairment associated with a conventional denture, either in the maxilla or mandible, function can be restored with a fixed or removable implant-supported prosthesis. This article addresses management of situations when it is preferable to restore an edentulous arch with a removable implant-supported prosthesis. The differences in treatment planning concepts as they relate to the maxillary and mandibular arches are highlighted, and advantages of a bar-retained overdenture versus unsplinted implant-supported overdentures are discussed. A logical sequential approach to case management is delineated starting with determining tooth position after casts are articulated.