A new soft tissue flap design technique, called "the palatal sliding strip flap" (PSSF), has been developed to improve the soft tissue surgical results at stage 2 implant surgery. The purpose of this flap design is to help form papillae between implants and between natural teeth in the anterior area of the maxilla. The flap is designed and managed so that the palatal attached mucosa slides in a labial direction to create papillae and at the same time augment the labial ridge. This surgical approach is valid, predictable, and has a low risk-to-benefit ratio. This new flap design is indicated for a variety of clinical situations, especially for the problematic maxillary soft tissue reconstruction around teeth and implants.

Alveolar Ridge Augmentation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Implant fixture position registration at the time of fixture placement surgery.

The implant registration procedures usually take place at the fixture uncovery surgery, months after the implant placement. In this article, the authors describe a technique for single implant fixture registration during the surgical placement of that fixture. The rationale and advantages of this procedure are also discussed.

Dental Implantation, Endosseous↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical and laboratory considerations in the use of a new all-ceramic restorative system.

Ceramic systems are continually under development in an effort to refine their clinical application. An all-ceramic full-coverage crown system (Procera, Nobel Biocare, Westmont, IL) that utilizes computer technology and industrial presses to fabricate precise copings has recently been introduced. Using this system, aluminous porcelain is baked over a high-strength, high-purity aluminum oxide coping to fabricate a functional, biocompatible, and aesthetic restoration. This article presents a discussion of the clinical and laboratory considerations that are involved in the utilization of this all-ceramic system.

Adult↗