Mechanical Principles of Superplants
Abstract
From: The Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Royal Dental School, Stockholm, Sweden. MECHANICAL PRINCIPLES OF SUPERPLANTS by GUSTAV A. DAHL S. Superplant is the name adopted by the author, for a type of fixed saddle rigidly connected to one or more abutments, frequently with one or more subperiostal implants (Fig. 1). The technical details and the clinical, histological and radiological studies of superplants have previously been described ( 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 15, 16, 17, 18, 19). In replacing lost teeth one of two alternatives may be used: either a removable or a fixed structure. The conventional type of fixed bridge is of limited value because it is dependent upon a minimum amount of remaining teeth and their positions in the dental arch. Superplants aim to further develop the fixed structure design (Figs. 1, 2, 3). The clinical experience is decisive in determining what can be achieved in any one case. In some cases one abutment may be sufficient to successfully use superplants. With one or few abutments remaining, however, in many cases a combination is needed, with one or more implants (F'ig. 2). It has been found that superplants have an additional value in