The Milled Bar‐Retained Removable Bridge Implant‐Supported Prosthesis: A Treatment Alternative for the Edentulous Maxilla

Restoration of the edentulous jaw with dental implants can be achieved using either an implant‐supported prosthesis, such as a fixed bridge, or an implant‐retained prosthesis, such as a traditional overdenture. The implant‐retained prostheses use edentulous ridges as primary stress‐bearing regions, and through stress‐breaking mechanisms, the implants are not loaded during function. However, the success rates of maxillary overdentures do not appear to be as good as for mandibular overdentures; this may be attributable to the adverse loading conditions, short implant length, poor quality of bone, number of implants used, flexible bar design, or poor treatment planning. Many articles have also described the numerous problems and multiple visits required in maintaining a traditional bar‐retained overdenture restoration, often making it more expensive in the long term than a fixed restoration. The milled bar implant‐supported prosthesis offers the benefits of both fixed and removable restorations. Its infrastructure provides the same rigidity as the fixed restoration, owing to the precise fit to the superstructure, which is removable, to promote adequate access for hygiene, yet it still provides lip support and maintains close contact with the soft tissues. These advantages enhance phonetics, esthetics, correct lip support, maintenance, and patient comfort. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Restoring esthetics and function for the edentulous patient requires a multidiscipline approach for success. This article discusses the techniques for restoring function and esthetics for these patients, using a milled bar restoration supported and retained by dental implants.