A new concept of overdentures with telescope crowns on osseointegrated implants
This paper describes the principle of construction of overdentures with tapered telescope crowns on osseointegrated implants using prefabricated abutments. Primary splinting of fixtures with bar attachments has proven to be clinically effective for overdentures in edentulous mandible. However, in vitro investigations indicate that a more favorable force transfer to the fixtures can be attained by secondary splinting of four implants with tapered telescope crowns. Moreover, in contrast to jointed attachments, the telescope crowns ensure a stable denture position. Two types of implants are used for telescope crowns at the School of Dentistry in Basel: (1) H-T step-screw implants made of pure titanium; and (2) cylindrical, bone-fit, two-part screw implants. Compared to overdentures, the bridge-like design of the denture is much less likely to favor plaque accumulation. Direct traumatization of the pert-implant mucosa by the poetic is precluded. Compared to fixed prostheses, removable prostheses facilitate oral hygiene for older patients. This kind of removable suprastructure also may be designated as a perio-overdenture. [E.L.H.]
Besimo, C., and G. Graber, Int J Periodont Restor Dent, 14:487, 1994