Glossary

For a dental implant to be successful, the alveolar ridge must have sufficient volume. When it doesn’t, periodontists can choose to use a unilateral subperiosteal implant, a type of dental implant that was specifically developed for patients who do not have enough residual bone in the alveolar ridge. This type of implant has survival/success rates similar to other modalities. Unilateral subperiosteal implants are contraindicated in patients with an overabundance of bone. The procedure involves two stages; first, a bone impression is taken and second, the custom dental implant is placed. A subperiosteal dental implant is made to rest on top of the bone under the periosteum instead of traditional implant hardware that is placed much deeper into bone. Instead, the implant disperses pressure over a larger surface area, much like a snowshoe. The implant is made from a custom metal casting that adheres to the bone with direct support and surrounding fibrous tissue.

The UCLA abutment has been around since the late 1980’s, however, many periodontists overlook this implant abutment in favor of others. This type of abutment is considered stronger than zirconia abutments because there is an internal connection via a secondary metal component. No matter the implant size, the UCLA abutment can be used with any dental implant system. In fact, UCLA abutments are often used in cases where a smaller implant is needed, because the smaller a zirconia abutment, the weaker it will be. Another benefit to the UCLA abutment is that it was created with ceramic applied and baked to the entire surface instead of just the sub-gingival area. This allows for a completely ceramic crown to be used. A UCLA abutment works particularly well with a bridge, however, crowns and other restorations can benefit from this abutment. Tooth color can be achieved for aesthetic purposes and healing time is similar to other abutment materials.