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case report I mandible and the maxilla: implants are connected rigidly and immediately after placement to avoid mi- cro-motions, which can have a negative impact on the osseointegration process.4–8 Ahigherfailureratehasbeenreportedinonlyvery few reports in the literature about immediate func- tional loading of individual implants to support a mandibular overdenture.9 This case report demon- stratestheuseoftaperedimplantsinthemandibleto immediatelyloadandsupportfourseparateimplants by means of a locator-supported mandibular over- denture. _Patient presentation A55-year-oldfemalepatientwithoutanymedical contra-indicationforimplanttherapypresentedwith an ill-fitting, lower complete denture that she had been wearing for four years. The clinical and radi- ographic findings revealed slight to moderate mandibular ridge resorption with an ill-fitting lower denture(Figs.1&2).Thepatientwasgiventheoption ofplacingfourimplantstosupportherexistinglower denture. The treatment plan was accepted and in- cludedanimmediatefunctionalloadingbyusingalo- cator attachment-supported mandibular overden- ture. _Surgical treatment Atthesurgicalappointment,followingtheadmin- istration of local anaesthetic, a mid-crestal incision was performed and a full-thickness flap was re- flected. In addition, osteotomies were prepared in type II bone. Bone taps were used to countersink the sites,afterwhichfourOSSEOTITETaperedCertainim- plants(BIOMET3i;4mmindiameter,13mminlength) wereplacedwiththehandpieceandhandratchet.The implants were torqued to 35 N (Figs. 3 & 4). _Prosthetic treatment Immediately after implant surgery, the mandibu- lardenturewasseatedinthepatient’smouthandad- justed to provide clearance in the area of the loca- tor(s).Fourlocators(4mminlength)weretorquedto 30N(Figs.5&6).Followingthesutureoftheflapwith Fig. 4_Four tapered implants at placement. Fig. 5_Flap was sutured around the locators using 4-0 vicryl suture. Fig. 6_Panoramic radiograph immediately after implant placement. Fig. 7_Occlusal view of the processing rings. Fig. 8_The processing rings were picked up directly in the mouth. Fig. 9_Occlusal view of the locators two weeks post-implant placement. Fig. 10_Buccal view of the locators two weeks post-implant placement. Fig. 11_The processing rings were removed ten weeks post-placement. Fig. 12_The blue retention rings were placed as the final rings. I 19implants1_2012 Fig. 10 Fig. 11 Fig. 12 Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Fig. 9