Implant-Supported Prosthesis
A dental prosthesis whose support is derived entirely from osseointegrated implant fixtures, with no load transmitted to the surrounding mucosa.
Full Definition
An implant-supported prosthesis obtains all of its occlusal and functional load from the underlying implant fixtures, in contrast to an implant-retained prosthesis that receives support from both implants and the mucosal tissues. The distinction is clinically significant in removable prosthodontics: overdentures may be implant-retained but tissue-supported, or both implant-supported and implant-retained. Fixed full-arch prostheses are generally fully implant-supported. Editors must accurately apply this term and distinguish it from 'implant-retained,' 'implant-assisted,' and 'implant-stabilised,' each of which implies a different load-sharing arrangement.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate the compound modifier: 'implant-supported prosthesis.' Do not use interchangeably with 'implant-retained'; the latter may still derive support from mucosa.
In Context
- "The patient transitioned from a conventional complete denture to a fully implant-supported prosthesis retained by a milled bar." — Prosthodontic case summary
- "The article used 'implant-retained' and 'implant-supported' interchangeably; the editor flagged the distinction as clinically significant." — Journal peer-review editorial comment