Multi-unit Abutment: key to the All-on-4® treatment concept
It’s now fifteen years since we began producing our Multi-unit Abutment – a first for the industry at the time. Since then, this product has had a big impact on patient treatment. It started the trend for restoring multiple teeth using tilted implant placement that is now backed by a wealth of clinical evidence.
A decade and a half since the launch of our original Multi-unit Abutment, the concept is now being accepted as effective by the implant industry as a whole.1
Back when the first of the products were sold, our engineers could only have hoped that their small piece of technology would have such a profound effect on patient care. To this day, it is still the only one of its kind with a patented handle for a supreme handling experience. It’s also specifically designed for implants with regulatory clearance for immediate loading, and can be used in the treatment of both edentulous and partially edentulous patients.
Small, but perfectly formed
Multi-unit AbutmentSince 2008 alone, we delivered 1.2 million Multi-unit Abutments. In that time, as a key enabler of the clinically and scientifically proven All-on-4® treatment concept, the Multi-unit Abutment has allowed thousands of edentulous and soon-to-be edentulous patients to benefit from a minimally invasive treatment process. It makes it possible to restore a full arch with a fixed restoration using just four implants, even when the bone is reduced.
The angled Multi-unit Abutments allow for the tilting of the two posterior implants, meaning longer implants can be positioned in the anterior bone, rather than in the posterior where the bone is often resorbed. This increases bone-to-implant contact and reduces the need for vertical bone augmentation. Anchoring the implants in better quality anterior bone also reduces cantilevers, improving support for the prostheses.2
Furthermore, tilting the implants helps avoid critical nerve structures and the maxillary sinus. All this makes it a less invasive, lower risk, and more cost efficient procedure for the patient, while increasing efficiency for the clinician.
An immediate solution for edentulism
Our implants offer primary stability at a level that allows for the restoration to be placed immediately. The TiUnite surface and patented grooves then help maintain this stability during osseointegration. In combination with our Multi-unit Abutments and the All-on-4® treatment concept, this allows edentulous and soon-to-be edentulous patients to leave the dental surgery with a full set of teeth and renewed self-confidence. Our philosophy is that patients should live every day to the fullest, and that the months of waiting for teeth in delayed loading protocols should be avoided if the indication allows.
Our Multi-unit Abutments are also available for some third party implants, though it is important to note that not all implant systems provide the primary stability required for immediate loading protocols.
Getting a handle on treatment success
Our Multi-unit Abutment comes with a unique handle. This makes the clinician’s life easier in a number of ways. A patented solution in its own right, available exclusively for our Multi-unit Abutments, the handle replaces the tweezers recommended by other implant suppliers for their angulated abutments. It makes holding, placing, and adjusting the abutment much simpler, improving the user experience while increasing safety and predictability.
Once the abutment is placed, the handle serves as a guide for checking that the angulation is exactly as required. It also supports clinicians using the NobelGuide protocol for prosthetic-driven treatment planning and guided implant surgery. Here, the handle becomes part of the jig in the retropositioning of the Multi-unit Abutment from the model into the patient’s mouth.
A framework for optimal esthetics
Our Multi-unit Abutments open the door to a complete individualized restorative portfolio through NobelProcera. A wide range of precision-milled and esthetically excellent restorative frameworks in both titanium and zirconia are available. It is estimated over 90,000 NobelProcera frameworks have been produced for our Multi-unit Abutments since 2008, each individualized to give a patient the new smile they deserve.
Though only a small part of our All-on-4® treatment concept, the Multi-unit Abutment plays a very big role. Without it, this innovative and effective solution for edentulous and soon-to-be edentulous patients would not be possible.
When used in combination with the All-on-4® treatment concept, the product’s incredible impact on treatment is evidenced by a multitude of studies3, each confirming the safety, performance, and longevity of the product with this protocol. Our Multi-unit Abutment is the supporting act that allows the All-on-4® treatment concept to play a starring role, both for patients and clinicians.
More to explore
Disclaimer: Not all featured products may be regulatory cleared/released for sale in all markets. Please contact the local Nobel Biocare sales office for current product assortment and availability.
References
1. Malo P, de Araujo Nobre M, Lopes A. The use of computer-guided flapless implant surgery and four implants placed in immediate
function to support a fixed denture: preliminary results after a mean follow-up period of thirteen months. J Prosthet Dent 2007;97(6&Suppl):26-34
Aparicio C, Perales, P, Rangert, B Tilted implants as an alternative to maxillary sinus grafting: a clinical, radiologic, and periotest study. Clin Implant Dent Related Res 2001; 3:39–49.
Abi Nader S, Eimar H, Momani, M. Plaque Accumulation Beneath Maxillary All-on-4 Implant-Supported Prostheses. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2014; epub ahead.
Agliardi E, Panigatti S, Clericò M, Villa C, Malò P. Immediate rehabilitation of the edentulous jaws with full fixed prostheses supported by four implants: interim results of a single cohort prospective study. Clin Oral Implants Res 2010; 21:459-655.
Antoun H, Belmon P, Cherfane P, Sitbon JM. Immediate loading of four or six implants in completely edentulous patients. Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent. 2012; 32(1):1-9.
Babbush C, Kutsko G, Brokloff J. The all-on-four immediate function treatment concept with NobelActive implants: a retrospective study. J Oral Implantol 2011;37:431-457.
Babbush C, Brokloff, J. A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis of 1001 Consecutively Placed NobelActive Implants. J Implant Dent 2012; 21(1): 28-35.
Baggi L, Pastore S, Di Girolamo M, Vairo G. Implant-bone load transfer mechanisms in complete-arch prostheses supported by four implants: A three-dimensional finite element approach, J Prosthet Dent 2013;109(1):9-21
Butura CC, Galindo DF. Combined immediate loading of zygomatic and mandibular implants: a preliminary 2-year report of 19 patients. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2014; 29(1): 22-29.
Butura CC, Galindo DF, Jensen OT. Mandibular all-on-four therapy using angled implants: a three-year clinical study of 857 implants in 219 jaws. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 2011; 23(2): 289-300.
Cavalli N, Barbaro B, Spasari D. Tilted implants for full-arch rehabilitations in completely edentulous maxilla: a retrospective study. Int J Dent; ePub ahead 2012.
Francetti L, Agliardi E, Testori T. Immediate rehabilitation of the mandible with fixed full prosthesis supported by axial and tilted implants: interim results of a single cohort prospective study. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2008;10(4):255-263.
Francetti L, Romeo D, Corbella S, Taschieri S, Del Fabbro, M. Bone Level Changes Around Axial and Tilted Implants in Full-Arch Fixed Immediate Restorations. Interim Results of a Prospective Study. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2012; 14( 5):646-654.
Galindo DF, Butura CC. Immediately loaded mandibular fixed implant prostheses using the all-on-four protocol: a report of 183 consecutively treated patients with 1 year of function in definitive prostheses. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2012; 27(3):628-633.
Gunaseelan R, Saravanakumar M, Hariharan R. Restoration of failing maxillary implant supported fixed prosthesis with cross arch splinted unilateral zygomatic implant: A Clinical Report. J Oral Implantol 2012;38(6):751-755.
Landazuri-Del Barrio RA, Cosyn J, De Paula WN, De Bruyn H, Marcantonio Jr E. A prospective study on implants installed with flapless-guided surgery using the all-on-four concept in the mandible. Clin Oral Implants Res 2013;24(4) 428-433.
Malo P, de Araujo Nobre M. A new approach for maxilla reconstruction. Eur J Oral Implantol 2009; 2(2):101-114.
Malo P, de Araujo Nobre M, Lopes A, Francischone C, Rigolizzo M. “All-on-4” Immediate-Function Concept for Completely Edentulous Maxillae: A Clinical Report on the Medium (3 Years) and Long-Term (5 Years) Outcomes. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2012;14 Suppl 1:139-150.
Malo P, de Araujo Nobre M, Lopes A, Moss SM, Molina GJ. A longitudinal study of the survival of All-on-4 implants in the mandible with up to 10 years of follow-up. J Am Dent Assoc 2011;142(3):310-320.
Malo P, de Sousa ST, De Araujo Nobre M. Individual Lithium Disilicate Crowns in a Full-Arch, Implant-Supported Rehabilitation: A Clinical Report. J Prosthodont 2014 ; ePub ahead
Malo P, Nobre M, Lopes A, Francischone C, Rigolizzo, M. Three-year outcome of a retrospective cohort study on the rehabilitation of completely edentulous atrophic maxillae with immediately loaded extra-maxillary zygomatic implants. Eur J Oral Implantol 2012;5(1):37-46.
Malo P, Nobre M, Lopes A. Immediate Rehabilitation of Completely Edentulous Arches with a Four-Implant Prosthesis Concept in Difficult Conditions: An Open Cohort Study with a Mean Follow-up of 2 Years. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2012;27(5):1177-1190.
Malo P, Rangert B, Nobre M. All-on-4 immediate-function concept with Branemark System implants for completely edentulous maxillae: a 1-year retrospective clinical study, Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2005;7(Suppl 1):S88-S94, 2003-161
Mozzati M, Arata V, Gallesio G, Mussano F, Carossa S. Immediate Postextractive Dental Implant Placement with Immediate Loading on Four Implants for Mandibular-Full-Arch Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Analysis. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2013;15:332-40.
Puig CP. A retrospective study of edentulous patients rehabilitated according to the ‘all-on-four’ or the ‘all-on-six’ immediate function concept using flapless computer-guided implant surgery. Eur J Oral Implantol 2010;3(2):155-163.
Schroering R, Parrish K. Clinical protocol for rapid, graftless, four-implant restoration of the fully edentulous patient. Practical Procedures and Aesthetic Dentistry 2008; 29: supported by Nobel Biocare
Van Lierde, KM Browaeys H, Corthals P. Impact of fixed implant prosthetics using the ‘all-on-four’ treatment concept on speech intelligibility, articulation and oromyofunctional behaviour. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2012; 41(12):1550–1557.
Weinstein R, Agliardi E, Fabbro MD, Romeo D, Francetti L. Immediate rehabilitation of the extremely atrophic mandible with fixed full-prosthesis supported by four implants. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2012;14:434-41.
2. Malo P, de Araujo Nobre M, Lopes A. The use of computer-guided flapless implant surgery and four implants placed in immediate
function to support a fixed denture: preliminary results after a mean follow-up period of thirteen months. J Prosthet Dent 2007;97(6
Suppl):26-34
Aparicio C, Perales, P, Rangert, B Tilted implants as an alternative to maxillary sinus grafting: a clinical, radiologic, and periotest study. Clin Implant Dent Related Res 2001; 3:39–49.
3. Abi Nader S, Eimar H, Momani, M. Plaque Accumulation Beneath Maxillary All-on-4 Implant-Supported Prostheses. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2014; epub ahead.
Agliardi E, Panigatti S, Clericò M, Villa C, Malò P. Immediate rehabilitation of the edentulous jaws with full fixed prostheses supported by four implants: interim results of a single cohort prospective study. Clin Oral Implants Res 2010; 21:459-655.
Antoun H, Belmon P, Cherfane P, Sitbon JM. Immediate loading of four or six implants in completely edentulous patients. Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent. 2012; 32(1):1-9.
Babbush C, Kutsko G, Brokloff J. The all-on-four immediate function treatment concept with NobelActive implants: a retrospective study. J Oral Implantol 2011;37:431-457.
Babbush C, Brokloff, J. A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis of 1001 Consecutively Placed NobelActive Implants. J Implant Dent 2012; 21(1): 28-35.
Baggi L, Pastore S, Di Girolamo M, Vairo G. Implant-bone load transfer mechanisms in complete-arch prostheses supported by four implants: A three-dimensional finite element approach, J Prosthet Dent 2013;109(1):9-21
Butura CC, Galindo DF. Combined immediate loading of zygomatic and mandibular implants: a preliminary 2-year report of 19 patients. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2014; 29(1): 22-29.
Butura CC, Galindo DF, Jensen OT. Mandibular all-on-four therapy using angled implants: a three-year clinical study of 857 implants in 219 jaws. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 2011; 23(2): 289-300.
Cavalli N, Barbaro B, Spasari D. Tilted implants for full-arch rehabilitations in completely edentulous maxilla: a retrospective study. Int J Dent; ePub ahead 2012.
Francetti L, Agliardi E, Testori T. Immediate rehabilitation of the mandible with fixed full prosthesis supported by axial and tilted implants: interim results of a single cohort prospective study. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2008;10(4):255-263.
Francetti L, Romeo D, Corbella S, Taschieri S, Del Fabbro, M. Bone Level Changes Around Axial and Tilted Implants in Full-Arch Fixed Immediate Restorations. Interim Results of a Prospective Study. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2012; 14( 5):646-654.
Galindo DF, Butura CC. Immediately loaded mandibular fixed implant prostheses using the all-on-four protocol: a report of 183 consecutively treated patients with 1 year of function in definitive prostheses. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2012; 27(3):628-633.
Gunaseelan R, Saravanakumar M, Hariharan R. Restoration of failing maxillary implant supported fixed prosthesis with cross arch splinted unilateral zygomatic implant: A Clinical Report. J Oral Implantol 2012;38(6):751-755.
Landazuri-Del Barrio RA, Cosyn J, De Paula WN, De Bruyn H, Marcantonio Jr E. A prospective study on implants installed with flapless-guided surgery using the all-on-four concept in the mandible. Clin Oral Implants Res 2013;24(4) 428-433.
Malo P, de Araujo Nobre M. A new approach for maxilla reconstruction. Eur J Oral Implantol 2009; 2(2):101-114.
Malo P, de Araujo Nobre M, Lopes A, Francischone C, Rigolizzo M. “All-on-4” Immediate-Function Concept for Completely Edentulous Maxillae: A Clinical Report on the Medium (3 Years) and Long-Term (5 Years) Outcomes. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2012;14 Suppl 1:139-150.
Malo P, de Araujo Nobre M, Lopes A, Moss SM, Molina GJ. A longitudinal study of the survival of All-on-4 implants in the mandible with up to 10 years of follow-up. J Am Dent Assoc 2011;142(3):310-320.
Malo P, de Sousa ST, De Araujo Nobre M. Individual Lithium Disilicate Crowns in a Full-Arch, Implant-Supported Rehabilitation: A Clinical Report. J Prosthodont 2014 ; ePub ahead
Malo P, Nobre M, Lopes A, Francischone C, Rigolizzo, M. Three-year outcome of a retrospective cohort study on the rehabilitation of completely edentulous atrophic maxillae with immediately loaded extra-maxillary zygomatic implants. Eur J Oral Implantol 2012;5(1):37-46.
Malo P, Nobre M, Lopes A. Immediate Rehabilitation of Completely Edentulous Arches with a Four-Implant Prosthesis Concept in Difficult Conditions: An Open Cohort Study with a Mean Follow-up of 2 Years. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2012;27(5):1177-1190.
Malo P, Rangert B, Nobre M. All-on-4 immediate-function concept with Branemark System implants for completely edentulous maxillae: a 1-year retrospective clinical study, Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2005;7(Suppl 1):S88-S94, 2003-161
Mozzati M, Arata V, Gallesio G, Mussano F, Carossa S. Immediate Postextractive Dental Implant Placement with Immediate Loading on Four Implants for Mandibular-Full-Arch Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Analysis. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2013;15:332-40.
Puig CP. A retrospective study of edentulous patients rehabilitated according to the ‘all-on-four’ or the ‘all-on-six’ immediate function concept using flapless computer-guided implant surgery. Eur J Oral Implantol 2010;3(2):155-163.
Schroering R, Parrish K. Clinical protocol for rapid, graftless, four-implant restoration of the fully edentulous patient. Practical Procedures and Aesthetic Dentistry 2008; 29: supported by Nobel Biocare
Van Lierde, KM Browaeys H, Corthals P. Impact of fixed implant prosthetics using the ‘all-on-four’ treatment concept on speech intelligibility, articulation and oromyofunctional behaviour. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2012; 41(12):1550–1557.
Weinstein R, Agliardi E, Fabbro MD, Romeo D, Francetti L. Immediate rehabilitation of the extremely atrophic mandible with fixed full-prosthesis supported by four implants. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2012;14:434-41.