Immediate implant-supported mandibular overdentures retained by conical crowns: A new treatment concept

Basing the retention of mandibular complete dentures on two or four implants is now standard procedure in dental implantology. In addition to the almost traditional bar retainer, other retention elements are available for almost all implant systems. The method of primary splinting of four implants with a bar followed by immediate loading was described as early as 1979. The method described in the present report, derived from practical experience, is based on immediate loading of four interforaminal Ankylos implants without the use of a bar retainer. The denture is retained by prefabricated conical crowns that are placed into the existing denture base by direct intraoral polymerization immediately after surgery and supported by the corresponding conical primary implant abutments. This method facilitates secondary splinting by the inserted complete denture.