Chapters authored
Implant-Retained Maxillary and Mandibular Overdentures - A Solution for Completely Edentulous Patients
The main goal of modern removable prosthodontics is to restore the normal appearance, function, esthetics and speech in each completely edentulous patient. However, if all teeth are missing in a patient, it becomes very complicated to achieve it using traditional protocols. Therefore, implants were introduced into removable prosthodontics to ensure better retention and stability of the conventional dentures. In case of a large amount of bone missing in the jaw it is necessary to ensure the functioning of the dentures constructing various additional stabilizing and retentive prosthodontic solutions on the osseointegrated implants. Numerous types of attachment systems have been used recently for relating implant-retained overdentures to underlying implants: basically splinting (various bar shape designs) and non-splinting attachments (various ball type attachment, magnet attachment, telescopic coping systems). Indications for their use depend on the surgical and prosthodontic factors such as the number and position of the implants, the amount of free intermaxillary space and the type and size of the overdentures. Different indications, types of the overdentures and the attachment systems will be discussed in this chapter.
Part of the book: Current Concepts in Dental Implantology
The Relationship between Dental Occlusion and “Prosthetic Occlusion” of Prosthetic Restorations Supported by Natural Teeth and Osseointegrated Dental Implants
The concept of human dental occlusion represents much more than the mere physical contact of the biting surfaces of opposing teeth. It is not a static, unchanging, structural relationship, but rather a dynamic, real, physiological relationship between different tissue systems. It is best defined as the functional relationship between the components of the masticatory system, which includes the teeth, the periodontium, the neuromuscular system, the temporomandibular joints and the craniofacial skeleton. Biologically, occlusion represents a coordinated functional interaction between different cell populations of the masticatory tissue systems that differentiate, model, remodel, destroy and regenerate. When the functional balance of the masticatory system is disturbed or when occlusion is restored by various types of prosthetic restorations, specific goals of occlusal treatment become important, especially today with the rapid insertion of dental implants. The aim of this chapter is to highlight the characteristics of dental occlusion in relation to the characteristics and requirements of ‘prosthetic occlusion’ for different types of prosthetic restorations supported by natural teeth, gingiva, alveolar ridges and dental implants. A particular focus in writing the chapter is the analysis of the scientific literature on the interrelationship between the so-called occlusion concepts and the biomechanical aspects of different types of implant prosthetic restorations.
Part of the book: Human Teeth