One-stage surgery with a nonsubmerged implant system

Although nonsubmerged implant surgery can reduce patient trauma and costs by eliminating the uncovering procedure, one-piece implants cannot be shortened for esthetic results. However, a new implant design that comes preattached on a multipurpose collar is used for insertion, nonsubmerged healing, and as an abutment base. For submucosal margins, the collar can be replaced by an esthetic abutment that connects directly to the implant. Surface treatments include midsections roughened by hydroxyapatite or titanium plasma spray coatings, with smoother, acid-etched necks and self-tapping apical ends. Screw-retained, friction-fit abutments offer prosthodontic stability and uniformity, despite the submucosal implant type.