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Implants are fast becoming the restoration of choice among edentulous or partially edentulous patients. To meet this growing demand, we must become strategic and systematic in our approach from implant placement to final restoration. For any restoration to be successful, it must be sound in principle and in practice, and, perhaps most importantly, it must withstand the test of time. Aurum Ceramic’s exclusive Easi-ACCES restorative technique fulfils all of these criteria and provides many advantages at all stages of the restorative process, from surgeon to dentist, hygienist and patient care. Best of all in today’s dental practice, esthetics and function are easily harmonized with this type of restoration. In this article, we will illustrate some of these benefits through a case study review of steps to be taken after implant placement and integration has taken place.

This case study involves three implants replacing four teeth. After the initial fixture level impression has been taken and a model poured, the impression copings are removed, placed on the model and splinted together with acrylic. They are then separated and a custom tray made with the impression copings clearly visible through the top of the tray. The restorative dentist then places them and joins them together intra-orally with light cure acrylic. The final impression is then taken. NOTE: With this technique, an accurate impression is assured.

The Easi-ACCES technique uses non-engaging abutments. This is an advantage when implants are at diverging angles and an angle correction becomes necessary, eliminating the challenge of non-parallel implant placement. From the restorative dentist’s perspective, the Easi-ACCES technique does not require a location jig to place the abutments. Screw access holes that go through aesthetic areas are no longer a problem as the over-structure screws on to the under-structure from the lingual.

Example of longer span bridges completed with the Easi-ACCES technique. Dentistry courtesy of Dr. Matt Bynum, Simpsonville, SC. Restorations fabricated by Aurum Ceramic.

The under-structure is milled to a six degree taper with two lingual access holes drilled and tapped to accept two Straumann screws (Figure 1). This eliminates the need for cement to fixate the bridge. With this technique, an intra-oral silicone is used to seal the margins of the over structure (Figure 2). Note that the lingual access holes are counter sunk and then covered with composite (Figure 3)

With Easi-ACCES, all parts are easily accessible, simplifying the maintenance perspective of the restoration. Hygienists will find that all parts can be easily removed and cleaned and implant sites can be easily rinsed and examined at appointed times. From the patient’s perspective, restorations are cared for like any other crown and bridge work with embrasures easily accessed by proxy brush or rinsed with water pick.

For more information on the Easi-ACCES technique, please contact the Advanced Esthetic Implant Specialists at your closest Aurum Ceramic laboratory location.

Aurum Ceramic would like to thank Surgeon Dr. Marco Chairot and Restorative Dentist Dr. Jainin Wolfe for their clinical expertise on this case study. Restorations fabricated by Aurum Ceramic.