Using transitional implants as fixation screws to stabilize a surgical template for accurate implant placement: A clinical report

Using transitional implants as fixation screws to stabilize a surgical template for accurate implant placement: A clinical report
June 2005
Simon Yeh, DDS a , Edward A. Monaco Jr., DDS b , Robert J. Buhite, DDS
The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
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Abstract
This article describes a method of using transitional implants as surgical fixation screws to orient a surgical template predictably during the placement of implants in the anterior mandible for an implant-supported bar-retained overdenture. Ridge reduction, transitional implant placement, implant placement, and removal of the transitional implants were completed in a single surgical appointment. Details of the template fabrication, incorporating transitional implants and surgical techniques, are described.
Transitional implants are implants that are placed to serve a purpose for a specific period of time, after which they are either removed or lost. Transitional implants have been used for a variety of different purposes. For patients who desire an immediate, stable, and esthetic provisional prosthesis, transitional implants may serve as interim support for a provisional prosthesis during the integration phase of the conventional implants.1,2 Transitional implants may function to protect healing implant sites, as well as hard and soft tissue grafted sites, from premature loading.3 They have been used for orthodontic anchorage to assist tooth movement.4,5 Transitional implants can also assist in stabilizing surgical templates during implant placement.6 The optimal placement of multiple implants may be a surgical challenge, especially when location is critical for the restorative phase of the treatment.7 In this report, a technique using transitional implants as surgical fixation screws is described. The purpose of the technique is to facilitate the stabilization of surgical templates in an edentulous patient and to predictably assure the accurate repositioning during surgery.
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