Passive Fit in Digital Full-Arch Implant Rehabilitation: A Clinical Application of an Adaptive Titanium Base
- 1Dentistry, Private Practice, Rocky River, USA
- 2General Dentistry and Implantology, Private Practice, Silver Spring, USA
- 3Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Private Practice, Westlake, USA
Abstract
Passive fit remains a critical factor in the long-term success of implant-supported full-arch prostheses. Although contemporary digital workflows have improved restorative accuracy, minor discrepancies associated with scanning, software alignment, manufacturing tolerances, and prosthetic delivery remain unavoidable and may contribute to biomechanical stress within the implant-prosthetic complex. This article describes the integration of the NikolasBase/Passivity Plus restorative system within a fully digital All-on-4 mandibular rehabilitation. A 69-year-old male underwent treatment utilizing CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) planning, facial scanning, intraoral digital scanning, ROE ArchBridge verification, CAD/CAM design, and zirconia hybrid fabrication. The NikolasBase/Passivity Plus system incorporates a self-adjusting titanium base with a pivotable cap, conical cold-weld interface, and flexible washer mechanism designed to preserve prosthetic alignment during torque application and compensate for minor restorative discrepancies. Clinical and radiographic evaluation demonstrated complete seating of the definitive zirconia hybrid prosthesis and successful integration of the adaptive titanium-base components within the digital workflow; passive fit or strain was not directly measured. Adaptive prosthetic connection systems are intended to accommodate small residual restorative discrepancies; however, this single case cannot establish that the system reduces strain, mechanical complications, or biologic complications. While this clinical report demonstrates a predictable restorative workflow, additional long-term clinical studies are required to evaluate the impact of adaptive prosthetic connection systems on mechanical complications and peri-implant tissue stability.
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BibTeX
@article{heimke2026passive,
title = {{Passive Fit in Digital Full-Arch Implant Rehabilitation: A Clinical Application of an Adaptive Titanium Base}},
author = {John Heimke and Gregori M Kurtzman and William S Blood},
journal = {Cureus},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.7759/cureus.117130},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13717819},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Passive Fit in Digital Full-Arch Implant Rehabilitation: A Clinical Application of an Adaptive Titanium Base
AU - John Heimke
AU - Gregori M Kurtzman
AU - William S Blood
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/29
JO - Cureus
DO - 10.7759/cureus.117130
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13717819
AB - Passive fit remains a critical factor in the long-term success of implant-supported full-arch prostheses. Although contemporary digital workflows have improved restorative accuracy, minor discrepancies associated with scanning, software alignment, manufacturing tolerances, and prosthetic delivery remain unavoidable and may contribute to biomechanical stress within the implant-prosthetic complex. This article describes the integration of the NikolasBase/Passivity Plus restorative system within a fully digital All-on-4 mandibular rehabilitation. A 69-year-old male underwent treatment utilizing CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) planning, facial scanning, intraoral digital scanning, ROE ArchBridge verification, CAD/CAM design, and zirconia hybrid fabrication. The NikolasBase/Passivity Plus system incorporates a self-adjusting titanium base with a pivotable cap, conical cold-weld interface, and flexible washer mechanism designed to preserve prosthetic alignment during torque application and compensate for minor restorative discrepancies. Clinical and radiographic evaluation demonstrated complete seating of the definitive zirconia hybrid prosthesis and successful integration of the adaptive titanium-base components within the digital workflow; passive fit or strain was not directly measured. Adaptive prosthetic connection systems are intended to accommodate small residual restorative discrepancies; however, this single case cannot establish that the system reduces strain, mechanical complications, or biologic complications. While this clinical report demonstrates a predictable restorative workflow, additional long-term clinical studies are required to evaluate the impact of adaptive prosthetic connection systems on mechanical complications and peri-implant tissue stability.
SN - 2168-8184
ER -