Implant Prosthodontics
Implant prosthodontics focuses on converting a well-placed implant into a durable restoration without biologic complications. The board tests prosthetic-driven position, retention choice, emergence contour, and occlusal load control.
Core rules
- Plan position from the future crown: at least 1.5–2 mm from adjacent roots and about 3 mm between adjacent implants.
- Screw retention is preferred when the screw channel can emerge through the cingulum or central fossa; cement only with cleanable margins.
- Develop an emergence profile that supports soft tissue without compression; use a provisional to shape it.
- Keep implant crowns in light centric contact and avoid heavy lateral or cantilever load, especially in the posterior maxilla.
- Verify the impression with a verification jig when multiple implants are splinted.
Worked example
A single mandibular molar implant is restored with a screw-retained crown. The access hole exits the central fossa, the marginal contour is flat, and centric contact is slightly lighter than the adjacent molar. Reasoning: the central fossa avoids an off-axis load; light contact reduces overload; the screw channel preserves retrievability.
Traps
A buccally placed implant forces a ridge-lap contour and difficult hygiene. Excess cement causes peri-implantitis. A deep subgingival margin prevents cement removal. A cantilever longer than the implant-to-adjacent-tooth distance increases risk. Ignoring angulation leads to an unretrievable screw channel.