title: Prosthetic restoration following maxillary trauma utilising a fixed removable implant-supported prosthesis: a case report.
abstract: Patients with traumatic head injuries may suffer from tooth loss, as well as involvement of associated soft tissues and bone. Conventional prostheses are often bulky and unretentive. Osseo-integrated implants have made it possible to treat these patients with more retentive, aesthetically and functionally improved prostheses. This case illustrates the use of a fixed removable implant-supported prosthesis for a patient with severe maxillary trauma. A bar connecting the implants was individually designed to have parallel sides and vertical channels prepared in it. The corresponding removable prosthesis features retentive pins which engage the prepared grooves in the bar to provide adequate frictional retention and stability for the prosthesis. This treatment modality restored the missing teeth, alveolar bone, soft tissues and oral function while at the same time facilitating good oral hygiene.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, School of Oral Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrond, Johannesburg. 034syk@cosmos.wits.ac.za
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Sykes
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Breitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D008440:Maxillary Fractures / Q000628:therapy; D010158:Palatal Obturators