Implant selection and positioning can be confidently addressed with thorough, prosthetically driven treatment planning. The appropriate size and spacing of dental implants in the posterior is determined by carefully assessing the anatomy of the ridge, the restorative space available, and the long-term needs of the patient.
The edentulous span must be evaluated to identify the appropriate implant size for each site. First, the mesial-distal distance between the teeth adjacent to the edentulous space is measured. Then, the implant sizes are determined, allowing for 1.5 mm of space between the shoulder of each implant and the neighboring tooth, and 3 mm between adjacent implants. Buccolingually, allow for 1–2 mm of bone on each side of the implant.