BALL RETAINED OVERDENTURE

Components Required:

Ball-Top Abutment Accessories Package PA0142 or PA0143
Note: All Accessories used with the ball-top abutment are included with the ball-abutment package

The PerioSeal Ball-Top abutment and accessories are used to retain dentures in either arch. The Snap-Cap for the ball-top is made up of two components:

1. The Titanium Snap-Cap Housing
2. The White Delrin Retention Snap-Cap.

The retention snap-cap is assembled into the housing by pressing with the end of the restorative ratchet or another flat object. If needed, the retention snap-cap can be removed for replacement by cutting out a slot and prying it out with an explorer. The top of the PerioSeal implant body should be flush with the gingival tissue, which will allow the implant-abutment junction not to be subgingival. There may be as few as two implants, or in most cases,four to six implants to retain the denture.

The Ball-Top Abutment system offers a more economical alternative to a bar supported denture. The ball top retention of the removal denture is equal to, or better than, the conventional bar supported denture and costs less. The ball-top abutment allows stable and secure attachment of the denture to the PerioSeal implants while still allowing easy removal by the patient. The ball top also provides for better oral hygiene procedures by the patient.

The ball-top abutment package comes complete with all accessory items needed for attachment to the denture. The accessories furnished with each ball top abutment package allow either laboratory or chair side processing of the denture. It is the choice of the clinician as to which method best accommodates a particular case. Both methods are outlined for consideration.

Ball Top Abutment Placement and Impression for Laboratory Processing
Remove the healing cap or tissue retraction abutment with the .050 hex driver using one or two turns counterclockwise and then pulling the cap out of the implant (figure 1). Make certain that the nut at the bottom of the cap or abutment does not remain in the implant. Insert the correct size ball-top abutment into the implant and rotate clockwise by hand to engage the the hex within the implant body.

Place the ball-top driver over the hex on the ball abutment and rotate clockwise while pushing into the implant until the ball abutment is tight (figure 2). This method insures the mechanism is locked. Use a torque wrench and tighten to 35 ncm. Visually verify the ball abutment is seated with the top of the implant.

The ball top plastic snap impression cap is placed on each abutment and the impression is recorded, being sure that each cap is firmly seated (figure 3). Inject impression material around each plastic impression cap and proceed with a routine impression (figure 4). Remove the impression tray from the patient. The plastic snap impression cap will remain within the impression material (figure 5).

The ball implant analog is placed in each plastic snap cap of the recorded impression (figure 5). A soft tissue model is poured in dental stone for laboratory processing (figure 6). The snap-caps are processed into the denture using the block out rings under the snap-caps. Transfer post may also be utilized to record the implant position for the laboratory. The patient’s temporary denture may be relined with a soft material while the final denture is being processed.