Mandibular complete denture converted to a total fixed implant-supported prosthesis using a distal extension bar: A protocol modification

For total immediate occlusal loading (IOL) implant protocol cases, a reinforcement in the distal portion is necessary. Initially called IOL component, the distal extension bar is indicated for patients who use removable dentures and for patients who need multiple extractions. The main advantage of the distal extension bar is that it permits denture capture directly over the abutments. Converting the removable denture to an implant-supported treatment avoids psychological or functional trauma from wearing dentures during this interim phase and does not transmit undesirable pressure to the submerged implants. In addition, the use of a distal extension bar gives the cantilever region of the temporary protocol prosthesis, which is weak because it lacks a metal framework that internally unites all the teeth as in the definitive protocol prosthesis, more strength. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to describe a case report of a mandibular protocol using a distal extension bar with a modification of the manufacturers’ protocol.