Positioning implants for overdentures: a prototype implant-paralleling device. Technical note.

As implant-assisted dentistry continues to grow, increasing emphasis is being placed on the surgical positioning of implants so that they can be optimally restored. While this is essential for esthetics with fixed implant restorations, it is equally important with implant overdentures, where the type of retentive mechanism artificial tooth position, and denture flange contour may be affected by implant position Unfortunately, surgical guides or templates may be used less often with overdenture cases because of the associated time, costs, and difficulty in positioning during surgery, leading to compromised implant location or orientation. This paper describes a prototype paralleling device that can aid in the surgical positioning of implants for overdentures.