Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the most common mechanical complications associated with dental implants
2. Understand the factors that create overloading of implants and prostheses
3. Understand the importance of implant placement in minimizing complications
4. Discuss the factors that affect implant loading
5. Know how to design single crowns and fixed partial dentures that resist adverse leverage when the implant positions cannot or are not ideal

Abstract:

Several mechanical complications have been reported in the dental literature.  When proper design guidelines are followed, many of these complications can be minimized or avoided.  This presentation identifies the most common mechanical complications and presents guidelines that help prevent adverse leverage on implants.  Additionally, when implant placement cannot be ideal or the implants are not appropriately positioned, this presentation describes methods that can be used to resist adverse leverage with both implant single crowns and implant fixed partial dentures.

Outline:

1. Most common mechanical complications
2. Ceramic veneer fracture incidence of causes
3. Abutment screw loosening incidence
4. Importance of knowing abutment screw access hole location of cemented crowns
5. Abutment screw and abutment fracture causes
6. Implant fracture and causes
7. Guidelines for avoiding mechanical complications
   1. Anterior biomechanical guidelines
   2. Posterior biomechanical guidelines
8. Methods of resisting adverse leverage with implant single crowns
9. Factors affecting implant loading
   1. Cuspal inclination
   2. Implant inclination
   3. Horizontal implant offset
   4. Apical implant offset
10. Methods of resisting adverse leverage with implant fixed partial dentures