[Osseointegration and tissue-integrated prostheses]

After surgical uncovering of the fixtures and abutment connection a preliminary impression of the entire ridge and surgical area is made. From the resultant cast an impression tray is fabricated for the final impression. At least 1 week should elapse after abutment connection before final impression is made. The presence of sutures and easily traumatized attached gingival tissues may complicate oral procedures. After the impressions have been made, jaw relationship has been recorded, casts have been mounted on an articulator, and tooth arrangements has been verified, a rigid metal framework is cast in gold or in silver-palladium alloy from a wax-acrylic pattern. The metal construction consists of at least 6 mm of vertical height and buccal-lingual width and sufficient rigidity of the cantileverded sections billaterally. The artificial dentition is then reassembled on the new frame in the predetermined position and examined in the mouth for confirmation of fit and appearance. The prostheses is then temporarily secured to the abutments using small gold screws for approximately 1 month as an adjustment period.