An Alternative Method to Treat a Case With Severe Maxillary Atrophy by the Use of Angled Implants Instead of Complicated Augmentation Procedures: A Case Report
Several treatment options with implants have been described for maxillary edentulous patients. Maxillary implant–supported overdentures have been shown to be a predictable, accepted treatment option for the edentulous maxilla. Patients with severe bone resorption present additional difficulties, and implant treatment in the atrophic maxilla represents a challenge. Anatomical limitations and patient desires in this case have forced the treatment to be 4 angulated implants supporting an upper overdenture. Since conventional single-retention mechanisms such as ball (O-ring), locator, or telescopes would transfer too much force to the implants, especially because of their angulation, an individual bar was fabricated. One-year follow-up of the case showed a stable peri-implant condition on bone as well as soft tissue level. Although further follow-up and higher case numbers will give more information about this treatment modality, the actual result is encouraging and can be recommended for similar cases.Abstract

and 2. Figure 1. The implants introrally with healing abutments. Figure 2. Radiographic view of mouth after implant insertion.


Contributor Notes
Hakan Bilhan, DMD, PhD is at Istanbul University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Removable Prosthodontics, Capa-Istanbul, Turkey. Address correspondence to Dr Bilhan at Istanbul University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Removable Prosthodontics, 2nd floor, 34390 Capa-Istanbul, Turkey. (bilhan@istanbul.edu.tr)