implant analog
A replica of a dental implant used in dental laboratory procedures to fabricate and verify prosthetic components on working casts.
Full Definition
An implant analog (also spelled 'analogue' in British English) is a metal or hard-resin replica of the internal and external geometry of a specific implant model, used by dental technicians to replicate implant position and orientation within a stone working cast. During fabrication, the analog is connected to the impression coping within a dental impression, and the cast is then poured around it. Prosthetic components such as custom abutments and screw-retained restorations are subsequently designed and tested on the cast. Editors must apply house style for 'analog' versus 'analogue' and should flag inconsistency within a document. The term should not be confused with 'implant replica' (a marketing term) or 'model implant'.
Usage
Usage note: Apply house style: 'analog' (American English) or 'analogue' (British English) consistently throughout. Never abbreviated in professional documentation.
In Context
- "The implant analog was secured in the impression before pouring the working cast in Type IV stone." — Dental Laboratory Prescription
- "Discrepancies between the implant analog position and the patient's actual implant placement were identified on delivery." — Prosthetic Complication Report