Horizontal Denture: A Prosthodontic Alternative for Severe Maxillary Atrophy

(a) Horizontal slide-in mechanism; (b) Design of the primary structure showing grooves acting as stepped rails; (c) Implant-supported primary structure with flat occlusal face perpendicular to the lateral faces, conical lateral rails (anterior and posterior), and cylindrical grooves that give stability to the horizontal denture's secondary structure; (d) Posterior view of the removable superstructure showing the internal metal structure complementary to the primary structure; (e) view of the superstructure.

(a) Preoperative intraoral view; (b) Preoperative panoramic radiograph; (c) Implant insertion with simultaneous lateral sinus floor elevation; (d) Healed peri-implant mucosa; palatal emergence of anterior implants can be appreciated; (e) Occlusal view of the implant-supported primary structure; (f) Orthopantomograph after placement of the primary structure; (g) Occlusal view with the secondary structure inserted; (h) Frontal view with the secondary structure; (i) Patient's smile with the horizontal denture in place.

(a) Preoperative intraoral view; (b) Panoramic CBCT image; (c) Insertion of 6 implants; (d) Detail of the simultaneous sinus floor elevation; (e) Healed peri-implant mucosa; (f) Occlusal view of primary structure; (g) Detail of the primary structure showing the conical rails and cylindrical grooves that provide stability to the horizontal denture's secondary structure; (h) Panoramic X-ray showing passive adjustment of the primary structure; (i) Occlusal view with the denture in place; (j) Image of the patient's smile.