IMPLANT SUPPORTED PROSTHESIS WITH A MILLED BAR ATTACHMENT
An implant supported prosthesis with a milled bar attachment replaces all the teeth in a jaw. It is not fi xed in the mouth, but rather is designed to be removed by the patient for oral hygiene purposes. The milled bar attachment is a metal bar that is fi xed to dental implants, usually 4 in number that are placed in the jaw bone.The prosthesis has a metal substructure in it that connects it to the bar, and is retained by removable locking pins.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the benefi ts of an implant supported prosthesis with a milled bar attachment?
• It is the most stable of all implant supported prosthesis that is still removable by the patient for cleaning purposes.
• It greatly improves retention, stability and chewing ability over a traditional complete denture, an implant assisted denture with locator attachments, or an implant supported prosthesis with locator attachments on a milled bar.
• If I have dry mouth or fragile tissue, the diffi culty with retention and comfort of a traditional denture or an implant assisted prosthesis that I may be experiencing will be reduced.
• My lip support will be better compared to an implant retained fixed restoration.
• As I can remove it, it is easier to clean my mouth compared to a fixed appliance.
• Any repair that may be necessary, is made easier by my ability to remove the prosthesis.
• The milled bar allows the prosthesis to be made without covering the roof of my mouth, improving my sense of taste and texture of food.
2. What are the risks of an implant supported prosthesis with a milled bar attachment?
• Should an implant fail and have to be removed, the entire milled bar and the prosthesis may need replacing, depending on the number and location of the implants.
• Food may tend to get trapped under the prosthesis, resulting in having to remove it to clean after meals.
• The location of the pins in the prosthesis, and my dexterity, may make insertion and removal of the prosthesis diffi cult.
3. What are the alternatives to an implant supported prosthesis with a milled bar attachment?
• A traditional complete denture.
• An implant assisted prosthesis with locator attachments.
• An implant supported prosthesis with locator attachments on a bar.
• Crowns or bridges attached directly to dental implants.
4. What materials are in an implant supported prosthesis with a milled bar attachment?
• The base is made of pink acrylic.
• The metal substructure, the milled bar and the implants are made of titanium.
• The teeth are made of tooth coloured acrylic or porcelain.
5. Are there any post treatment limitations once I have an implant supported prosthesis with a milled bar attachment?
• To keep the tissue under the prosthesis healthy it should be removed for sleep.
