implants - international magazine of oral implantology

Profile implant. Healthy bone is a prerequisite for optimal prosthetic restoration with regard to aesthetics. The otherwise often necessary hard- and soft-tissue transplants can now mostly be avoided.5 Theextenttowhichatemporaryrestorationcanbescrewedtogetherafterpros- thetic pretreatment and after the implant region has been moulded, or whether a removabledevicecanbeusedtemporarily,dependssignificantlyonthepatient’sfi- nancial resources. In addition to the use of gingiva formers native to the system, temporary restorations aid the moulding, preparation and stabilisation of the peri- implant soft tissue during and after the healing phase. As the interim prosthesis guaranteed functionality and aesthetics that satisfied the patient, additional moulding of the soft tissue was achieved through special gingiva formers or heal- ing abutments (Figs. 4 & 5). TheresultsobtainedintermsofpreservationofthemarginalboneusingtheAS- TRA TECH Implant System (DENTSPLY Implants) are documented in Palmer et al. (2000)andWennströmetal.(2005).9, 10 Preservationofthemarginalboneleveland healthy soft tissue are indispensable for the long-term success of implant treat- ment both clinically and aesthetically. The bone provides the soft tissue with sta- bility, while the soft tissue protects the bone from micro-organisms. A special feature of the implant system used is the patented Conical Seal De- sign, which prevents micro-movements and micro-gaps at the interface between the implant and abutment, reliably protecting the implant and bone from bacte- ria.Theclinicalrelevanceofthepumpeffectcausedbymicro-movementandpos- siblecrestalboneresorptionwereexperimentallytestedbyZipprichetal.(2007).11 Furthermore, arising stress is distributed farther into the bone and peak loads are simultaneouslyreduced.12, 13 Inthisregard,thepreferenceforpreservingthemar- ginal bone level must be clarified as well. The implant–abutment connection is thus reliably sealed against bacteria and the bone is thereby protected from ex- ternal influences. Maintenance of the superstructure is also made easier for the patient. Theintegrationoftheabutmentissimplifiedbytheconicalimplant–abutment connection (Fig. 6). However, with regard to the bevelled OsseoSpeed TX Profile implants, particular attention must be given to the precise transfer of the clinical situation to the model being manufactured using moulding aids and transfer posts during precision moulding, which requires specific experience and a good instinct. The individualised ATLANTIS abutments are a good solution for cemented crowns or bridges, as they guarantee optimal functionality, are the basis for so- phisticated prostheses and are easy to use. ATLANTIS abutments fabricated from titanium, titanium nitride-coated tita- nium (ATLANTIS GoldHue) or zirconium oxide are available for all established im- plant systems. All abutments are supplied by the manufacturer with the corre- spondingabutmentscrews.TheATLANTISVAD(virtualabutmentdesign)software allows the production of abutments that are based on the final tooth form and thus guarantees not only a natural, aesthetic result but also optimal functional- ity. A model was produced from the impression following healing, implant expo- sure (Fig. 3) and insertion of temporary gingiva formers (Fig. 4). The master cast should have a stable removable gingival mask made of silicone (Fig. 7). Casts should be placed onto articulators before the dentist or dental lab- oratory sends them in to Astra Tech so they can subsequently be sent with the AT- LANTIS CaseSafe shipping box. The models can be converted into a virtual image using a 3-D scanner after the model has been produced in a high-tech dental lab- AD