This article describes a clinical case in which a moderately compromised maxillary arch is restored with a fixed implant supported prosthesis with a substructure/suprastructure design. The prosthetic rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla can be achieved using different types of prostheses, including removable implant-retained, implant-supported, or fixed implant-supported prostheses. The treatment performed is presented step-by-step. The prosthetic design is discussed in detail and compared to other types of fixed implant supported prostheses. Advantages and disadvantages of this type of design are also presented. The substructure/suprastructure design is indicated when the prosthesis must replace both soft and hard tissues for more check my site. Although it involves multiple steps and it is costly, the substructure/suprastructure design represents a great alternative to any removable prosthesis and provides patients with great esthetics and function.
Keywords: implants, edentulous maxilla, fixed prosthesis
Authors: Joanna Kempler
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25241/stomaeduj.2014.1(1).art.9