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.
Dr. Paresh Patel is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry and the Medical College of Georgia/AAID MaxiCourse. He is a clinical instructor at the Reconstructive Dentistry Institute. Dr. Patel has placed more than 5,000 implants, has published numerous articles in leading dental journals, and has worked as a lecturer and clinical consultant on dental implants and prosthetics for several leading companies
A Diplomate of the ICOI, Dr. Patel maintains private practices in Lenoir and Mooresville, North Carolina. Contact him at pareshpateldds2@gmail.com or implantsbyparesh.com.
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