One-Piece Implant
A dental implant design in which the fixture and the transmucosal abutment are manufactured as a single, non-separable unit.
Full Definition
A one-piece implant (also called a one-part or monoblock implant) integrates the endosseous fixture body and the transmucosal abutment into a single machined component, eliminating the implant–abutment microgap and the associated micro-movement and microleakage concerns. These implants are typically used in single-stage surgery and are particularly suited to high-bone-density sites or minimally invasive flapless protocols. Their main limitation is the fixed abutment angulation, which restricts prosthetic flexibility. Editors should distinguish this from 'two-piece implant', which has a separate abutment connected via a screw or friction fit, and from 'single-tooth implant', which describes the clinical indication rather than the design.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate as 'one-piece implant' (compound modifier). Do not write 'one piece implant' (unhyphenated) or 'monoblock' without clarification in manuscripts aimed at general dental audiences.
In Context
- "The one-piece implant was placed using a flapless protocol and immediately temporised with a composite provisional." — Immediate loading case report
- "In editing this manuscript, note that 'one-piece implant' refers to the hardware design, not to the number of teeth restored." — Editorial style note