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The 1982 Toronto Conference on Tissue-Integrated Prostheses introduced the technique of osseointegration to the academic dental community. Subsequently, prosthodontists have played a leading role in the educational and clinical development of implant-supported fixed and removable prostheses for the treatment of the edentulous jaw. The success rates of treatment in the mandible have been replicated in many parts of the world and results are rewarding when compared with conventional complete denture therapy. Unfortunately, treatment results in the maxilla do not parallel those in the mandible and the shortfall requires the development of alternative strategies in diagnosis, treatment planning, surgery, and prosthetic management. As these treatment concepts become an everyday practice reality, osseointegrated implants have predictably found their way into the curriculum of all dental specialties. However, in many localities, the role of the prosthodontist in continuing education and research and development has become diluted as other areas of dentistry realize the enormous potential for treatment with osseointegrated implants. Accordingly, prosthodontists need to reevaluate their clinical mind-set if the specialty is to provide a lead role in future therapeutic endeavors. (J Prosthet Dent 1998;79:100-6.)

Statement of problem. The implant level impression can shorten the overall time frame of implant treatment. Purpose of study. The purpose of this study was to analyze the accuracy of fixed partial dentures constructed from impressions taken at implant installation surgery in partially edentulous dogs. The study compared the fit of welded titanium fixed partial dentures with that of cast gold alloy fixed partial dentures. Material and methods. Three implants were placed on each side of the mandible in six adult greyhound dogs during stage I surgery. Impressions were taken of the implant positional relationships and two types of fixed partial dentures were fabricated for each side of the mandible. Stage II surgery was performed after 3 months Results. Both types of fixed partial dentures compared favorably with the fit of implant-supported fixed partial dentures in the edentulous jaw or traditional cast fixed partial denture frameworks. Conclusions. Impressions taken at implant installation surgery provide a valid transfer of information for the laboratory fabrication of the final restoration when the implants are placed to fulfill the requirements of primary stability. (J Prosthet Dent 1997;77:265-70.)