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Patients who present with severe maxillary bone loss secondary to trauma, congenital defect, or resorption secondary to prosthesis function provide a unique diagnostic and difficult treatment challenge. This article describes a prosthetic-surgical treatment approach utilizing threaded titanium cylindrical endosteal (Brånemark) implants in combination with iliac bone grafting in nine such patients. Five patients received implant and bone graft placement at the same surgical setting and four patients received the implant 6 to 18 months following bone graft placement. Treatment sequence, surgical technique, indications, and follow-up results are illustrated by abbreviated case reports of four patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstructive procedures for the severely resorbed mandibular edentulous ridge have historically involved the use of a variety of surgical procedures and biologic and nonbiologic materials with limited success. Since the introduction of osseointegrated fixtures to support tissue-integrated prostheses, the procedure has been applied to more complex clinical situations. The treatment of three patients with severe mandibular ridge resorption utilizing osseointegrated fixtures is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fixed-removable implant prostheses provide solutions for some of the problems associated with implant dentistry, especially in the maxilla. The technique for using electrical discharge machining to create a precise passive fit between the substructure bar and the removable suprastructure is presented. The advantages, disadvantages, and complications associated with this type of prosthesis are discussed.

A brief history of electrical discharge machining (EDM) is given and the process is discussed. A description of the application of EDM for fabricating precision attachment removable partial dentures, fixed-removable implant prostheses, and titanium-ceramic crowns is presented. The advantages and disadvantages of the EDM process for the dental profession are evaluated. Although expensive, the procedure has merit.

A technique has been developed whereby collarless metal-ceramic crowns can be fabricated by spot-welding the platinum-foil matrix to the casting after it has been contoured for porcelain application. The main advantage of this procedure over previously reported techniques is that it produces well fitted restorations while requiring a lesser degree of technical skill.

As an alternative to conventional removable dentures, osseointegrated dental implants can now be used in carefully selected edentulous or partially edentulous patients. The implant consists of a dental prosthesis and an anchorage unit made up of screw-connected components. The implantation procedure is performed in two phases: fixture installation and fixture uncovering and abutment connection. After completion of these surgical procedures, the dental prosthesis is fabricated and inserted. Follow-up examinations are scheduled at 1, 3, and 6 months and then annually thereafter. During a 2-year period at the Mayo Clinic, 358 osseointegrated dental fixtures were implanted in 70 patients. The overall success rate in this consecutive series of patients was 98%, and the associated complications were minimal and easily resolved.

Denture sore mouth is most often caused by improperly fitting dentures. Ulcers, stomatitis, hyperplasia, bone resorption, and chronic candidiasis may develop under improperly fitting dentures. If extensive bone resorption occurs, dental implants may be necessary. Malignant changes can develop.

Brånemark System implants were used for orthodontic anchorage to correct a cross-occlusion relationship between a mandibular canine and a maxillary lateral incisor.