A maxillary fixed bridge supported by dental implants: treatment sequence and soft-tissue considerations.

Reconstruction of a patient's maxillary arch with dental implants is a multi-step process that includes esthetics, phonetics, lip support, bone support, occlusion, medical and dental history, and patient values. This clinical report details the step-by-step process--with a rationale for each step--for one patient who elected to reconstruct a maxillary arch with an implant-supported fixed prosthesis. Diagnosis, treatment planning, and appointment sequence are described, as is the importance of establishing soft-tissue outcomes that enable the patient to properly clean the area.