Removable Prosthesis Supported by Implants According to the Cagliari Modified Conometry Technique: Case Report

This report describes the rehabilitation of a patient who was completely edentulous in the mandible with a removable prosthesis supported by implants on four Straumann Wide-Neck implants placed in the positions of the canines and second molars. The Cagliari modified conometry technique was developed to improve and simplify anchorage systems based on conical copings in a removable prosthesis supported by implants. The connection of the removable prosthesis to the implants is obtained by primary conical copings, which are screwed to the implants, coupled to secondary copings equipped with plastic friction devices (Arch-Friction-Soft, Dental Konos). After the secondary copings are positioned on the primary copings, the secondary copings are fixed with acrylic resin to the removable prosthesis in the mouth, with the goal of passive fit. The prosthesis produced with this method is not a classic implant-supported overdenture but is a removable prosthesis completely supported by implants that is shaped like a fixed prosthesis. This type of prosthesis is extremely stable and has modular retention (plastic friction), creating ideal conditions for oral hygiene. The stability of this type of prosthesis results in psychologic comfort and masticatory performance similar to that of a fixed prosthesis but with the hygiene, esthetics, and lower expense of an overdenture.