Fig.1 (CT 3-dimensional image): One of John's upper molars has had trouble for a long time.  Finally it has so severe infection that it is extracted.  There is severe bone loss (a big hole) around its three roots (1,2,3).  It is planned to place an implant about six weeks after extraction. 

The diameter and length of an implant is usually dependent upon the size of the socket immediately or shortly after extraction.  Let us make a transverse section as shown by a line in Fig.1. Return to original article

Xin Wei, DDS, PhD, MS 1st edition 03/31/2013, last revision 03/31/2013