Abstract
Full-arch implant reconstructions are being utilized in clinical practice today. Very often these prostheses are prosthetically driven, but not periodontally maintainable. Often the patient presents to the general practitioner with a failing implant re-construction, where several fixtures need to be removed and others are maintainable. The article presents a case report where a removable prosthesis is used as a transitional appliance during the retreatment of the case. A removable complete overdenture prosthesis using attachments was used to establish proper occlusion and function, prevent loading on the guided bone regeneration sites, and to assist in fabrication of a stable guide for implant placement. The staged approach facil-itated laser periodontal therapy on the remaining fixtures, and allowed proper oral hygiene instruction and assessment of the patient's ability to clean the remaining fixtures properly. Al-though the potential to treat this case with transitional implants or immediate load fixtures was discussed, the risk versus benefit scenario favored a removable prosthesis with attachments. Success required proper communication between the surgeon, restorative dental practitioner, laboratory, and patient.