Treatment plan for restoring the edentulous maxilla with implant-supportedrestorations: Removable overdenture versus fixed partial denture design

Statement of problem. Restoring the edentulous maxilla with a fixed complet e denture or a removable overdenture is a complex and challenging procedure . Purpose. This article presents and discusses the crucial factors involved i n deciding whether a fixed or removable implant prosthesis should be planne d in fulfilling the patient's preference for optimal esthetics, phonetics, comfort, and function. Methods and material. A concept for treatment planning is presented that en ables the practitioner to check the decisive parameters during the first ex amination and to make the final decision with the help of the reformatted c omputerized tomography scan. Conclusion. If this treatment plan is followed, implants can be placed to c omply with the selected prosthetic solution and compromised solutions can b e avoided. The fixed design for implant prosthesis is only appropriate for patients with minimal resorption of the alveolar bone and an optimal maxill omandibular relationship. The removable overdenture may be indicated from t he outset and is no longer restricted to patients with a compromised situat ion in which fixed implant prostheses are not feasible.