Mixed Deck — All Dental Implants Topics Flashcards

Ridge splitting (ridge expansion) technique is used to treat:

Answer: Horizontal knife-edge ridge deficiency

Ridge splitting expands a thin but tall alveolar ridge by splitting the cortical plates apart, allowing simultaneous or staged implant placement.

Which radiographic finding specifically indicates active peri-implantitis progression rather than stable remodeling?

Answer: Serial radiographic comparison showing progressive crestal bone loss over time

Progressive bone loss detected by comparing sequential radiographs is the hallmark of active peri-implantitis rather than the initial 1–2 mm remodeling expected after placement.

An implant overdenture retained by locator attachments provides which primary advantage over a conventional full denture?

Answer: Significantly improved retention and stability with minimal bone resorption prevention

Locator-retained overdentures dramatically improve retention and functional stability compared to conventional dentures while preserving remaining alveolar bone.

Occlusal overload in implant-supported restorations can lead to:

Answer: Crestal bone loss and implant failure

Excessive occlusal forces exceed the bone-implant interface's tolerance, causing microfractures, bone resorption, and ultimately implant failure.

Lateral window sinus augmentation (Caldwell-Luc approach) is typically indicated when residual bone height is:

Answer: Less than 4–5 mm

When less than 4–5 mm of subantral bone remains, a lateral window approach is needed to place adequate graft material before or during implant placement.

Immediate loading of a dental implant requires a minimum insertion torque of at least:

Answer: 35 Ncm

A minimum insertion torque of 35 Ncm is generally required to ensure sufficient primary stability to withstand functional loading without implant micro-movement.

The 'pink esthetic score' (PES) and 'white esthetic score' (WES) are used to evaluate:

Answer: Soft tissue and crown esthetics respectively around anterior implant restorations

PES evaluates peri-implant soft tissue esthetics while WES assesses the visible crown esthetics — together they provide a comprehensive esthetic outcome score.

The biologic width around a dental implant consists of:

Answer: Junctional epithelium and connective tissue attachment forming the peri-implant seal

The peri-implant biologic width includes the sulcular epithelium, junctional epithelium, and supracrestal connective tissue that protect the underlying bone.

Bone temperature should not exceed which threshold during implant drilling to prevent thermal osteonecrosis?

Answer: 47°C

Sustained bone temperatures above 47°C for more than 1 minute cause osteonecrosis, which can prevent osseointegration and lead to implant failure.

The ideal implant crown to implant ratio (crown height to implant length) should ideally be:

Answer: 1:1 or less for optimal force distribution

A crown-to-implant ratio of 1:1 or less ensures that bending moments from lateral forces are kept within the bone-implant interface's tolerance.

What distinguishes a one-piece implant from a two-piece implant system?

Answer: The abutment is integrated into the fixture with no separate component

One-piece implants combine the fixture and abutment in a single unit, eliminating the micro-gap at the connection but limiting prosthetic versatility.

What is the primary goal of socket preservation (ridge preservation) performed immediately after tooth extraction?

Answer: To minimize alveolar bone resorption following extraction

Socket preservation using bone graft material placed immediately after extraction significantly reduces the natural dimensional changes (up to 50% width reduction) that occur in the alveolar ridge during the first 3-6 months post-extraction.

After a lateral window sinus lift, the window site is typically covered with:

Answer: A resorbable collagen membrane

A resorbable collagen membrane is placed over the lateral window to contain the graft, support blood clot formation, and facilitate new bone formation.

An implant-supported fixed partial denture (implant bridge) requires at least how many implants per pontic to maintain appropriate force distribution?

Answer: Ideally one implant per tooth replaced, but minimum one at each end

Standard practice supports a bridge with at least one implant at each end of the span, though longer spans may require intermediate implants.

Early (premature) implant failure is defined as failure occurring:

Answer: Before or shortly after loading, typically within the first year

Early failure occurs before functional osseointegration is established or shortly after loading, usually due to infection, overload, or inadequate bone quality.

Which type of implant connection features a six-sided external protrusion for torque transfer?

Answer: External hex

External hex connections have a hexagonal protrusion on top of the implant that fits into the abutment to resist rotational forces.

Stress shielding around dental implants refers to:

Answer: Reduced bone stimulation in areas shielded from occlusal load, leading to bone resorption

Areas of bone not receiving adequate functional stimulation due to the stiffness of the implant (stress shielding) undergo disuse atrophy and resorption.

When converting a patient's existing denture to an implant overdenture, which step is critical?

Answer: Ensuring the denture has adequate retention and space for attachment housings

The existing denture must be evaluated for adequate thickness, retention space, and structural integrity before retrofitting attachment housings.

The passive fit of an implant framework means:

Answer: The framework seats on all implants simultaneously without introducing internal stress

A passively fitting framework contacts all implants simultaneously without pre-loading any implant or abutment — internal stress causes screw fracture and bone loss.

What is the 'tent pole' effect in Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR)?

Answer: Creating and maintaining space under a membrane using rigid supports such as pins or titanium mesh

The tent pole effect refers to the technique of using titanium screws, pins, or mesh to mechanically support and maintain the volume of space beneath a GBR membrane, preventing membrane collapse into the defect and ensuring adequate room for bone regeneration.