Occlusal Trauma of Implant-Supported Metal-Ceramic Crown: A Case Report

Abstract

In this article there is a clinical case of occlusion trauma of implant-supported metal-ceramic crown for prosthetics of central incisor. Its uniqueness is the possibility to save dental implant after acute occlusion impact, which was strong enough to break ceramic facing of fixed denture, but not able to destroy bone and implant components. The occlusion force located at the incisal edge of the crown induced a reverse torque to the implant and did not result in its failure or bone resorption. In a year after repeated fixed prosthetics, the results of clinical examination proved absence of any problem with osseointegration. Literature analysis lets us to suggest, that the phenomenon was caused by protective action of cortical bone around of dental implant. Besides, in the case of natural tooth, the bone is suddenly compressed against the conical root; it transfers occlusal breaking to the supporting periodontal ligament. A dental implant has no periodontal ligament but can have a rough surface that may preclude implant failure.