Atlas Narrow Body Implant System: Distinctly Different?

Just my opinion, but I don't think so. I don't think the silicone reline holds as well as the o-rings either. Dr. Niznick of Implant Direct is introducing a new one-piece locator implant that I'm looking forward to trying. It's almost as cheap as the mini's and should hold way better. It's called go-direct but isn't out yet. You can see it in the December newsletter at implantdirect.com

I have been using these low diameter implants made by osteocare since last 18 months.The mini are just temporary which can be used to support the dentures untill the healing occurs but midi and maxi are very good esp. in mandible.Very easy to use and time saving.

The Atlas Narrow Body Immediate Load Implant System is the brainchild of Bernard Weissman, the owner of Dentatus, a former dental techician, and who can add amongst his credits to the dental profession holding at least 40 patents for his inventions. Bernie's first invention in dentistry to my knowledge, were TMS pins in the sixties, followed by the Parapost system, the mini reciprocal saw for use interproximally, the Pindex system for crown and bridge, the first manufacturer to intoduce minitransitional implants, various designs to convert narrow diameter implants to screwable prosthetics,etc,etc. While some dentists might feel that Tuff Link Silicone does not have the retention of a system with a metal female cap and plastic or rubber insert, they are not wrong. However, the advantage of the Atlas system has proven that because at least 4 of these narrow implants are installed, there is adequate retention to keep a denture in place, without requiring the enormous force to remove the denture at frequent intervals as would be the case if locator attachments or metal capped females. The narrow diameter implants could be easily extracted when removing a denture that has just been installed on immediate implants and are too tightly connected. Bernard Weissman does not put out products without prior testing and enormous thought in the development. The advantage of using Tuff Link is that it can also be used for an immediate soft reline to the denture base, and is replaceable at regular intervals, which obligates the patient to return to the dentist for constant follow ups at sheduled intervals. Installation of the conventional metal caps as the Locator or Bredent techniques directly in the mouth can be a nightmare should hard acrylic resin get trapped between the metal ball and the denture base. Dr. Keith Rossein , publisher of Implant New & Reviews is a well known lecturer for this system. Tuff Link, with lesser retention, will allow the dentist the security of "never having to say your sorry". Gerald Rudick dds Montreal

In regards to Dr Rudick's comment; "The narrow diameter implants could be easily extracted when removing a denture that has just been installed on immediate implants and are too tightly connected." I have placed approx 1400 Imtec MDI's over the last 7 years and this has never occurred. I think these forums are good to cite your own experience, but we should be wary of scaremongering just for the sake of it. For me, I would prefer to change an o-ring than reline a denture each 6-12 months retain good retention.

Implant Direct has many narrow diameter implant options with good prosthetics. The problem with mini-implants having under 3mm in diameter is that they do not offer adequate strength, requiring multiple splinting, nor do they offer proper emergence profiles or abutment platforms that looks like real implants. Using tapered implants, there is no need to use implants smaller than 3.0mmD. We just launched the Legacy3 System with a 3.2mmD two-piece implant. For the last several years, we have had a 3.0mmD one-piece implant with a screw-receiving abutment and another with a straight abutment that includes a snap-on transfer and comfort cap. We will launch the 3.0mmD 1-piece GoDirect by the end of August with a Locator platform.

Jerry, I noticed in your implant surgical system you don't have bone tapping burs. Would you care to discuss that topic? Thank you.

In response to Gerald Rudick commenting on tremendous force and possibly pulling out narrow diamteter implants. Last week I placed my first four mandibular MIDI implants in an elderly man with Parkinsons disease and on coumadin. This was his only option as he can barely walk and requires his wife of 60 years for just about everything. I knew eating is his last enjoyment. His mandible was so resorbed that on the post-op pano the 13mm implants were nearly at the opposing cortical plate. I had difficulty locating the residual ridge as the genial tubercles were higher than the ridge. I was forced to avoid placing a flap because of the fear of bleeding. I used a perio probe to sound for the bone and repeatedly the probe would dive into the bone sometimes as much as 9mm (he must also have severe osteoporosis). I knew I was in bone by moving the probe laterally and repeated digital palpation. I had difficulty in getting the implants "rock hard" as his bone was so porous. On some sites it took multiple attempts to find a spot that I could screw in the implants. I felt desperate to not hurt this man, penetrate the lingual, etc. After connecting the denture to the implants I was fearful they would pull out,,,but they didn't. On post op evaluation I found he could finally eat a full meal for the first time in years!! His complaint was that he can't put them in or take them out. We taught the wife to put them in and I modified the denture to allow a purchase point so that she could take them out for him. (We used the handle of a plastic mirror, an eating spoon handle would also work). Had I known about the Atlas system with less retention I would have gladly used it.

Correction. I placed the 1.8mm Imtec implants called MINI. If any fail and pull out,,I will try to screw in the 2.4mm MIDI into the holes. (I hope these implants outlast him). He hadn't worn his lower denture for years. It was a perfectly made and fitted Swissdenture with flat plane upper posterior teeth and cutting blades on the lower posteriors which he had for 20-30 years.

I have used the IMTEC MDi system for the last four years, and have found that the female housings with O-rings can be readily fitted immediately to new or existing dentures, without the danger of implant loss on removal, provided that the bone density is correctly assessed. Bone densities of D1 or D2 will have no problem in recording an initial torque setting of 35ncm and can be loaded immediately. For D3 bone, IMTEC have an excellent soft reline material which can be used directly on the O-balls, left for 3months for integration, and the replaced by the female metal housings. For patients with impaired manual dexterity the housings come in two types MH-1 and MH-2 with latter having a tighter fit on the O-ring. I would commend this system to any one contemplating denture stabilisation.

I posted on this site in 2009. This year the wife of the patient mentioned came in for her own treatment. It turned out the elderly man (who had advanced Parkinson's disease) could wear the dentures and eat until the end of his life. What a wonderful thing to hear. As difficult as some conditions are, we must remember the service we offer is vital to our patients.