After extraction, the osteotomy is established in the apical end of the socket, where the buccolingual width is limited. It appears that an extra wide implant (5.9 mm) may perforate one of buccolingual plates. On the other hand, the buccal plate (Fig.2 double arrows) is intact and approximately 2 mm tall, whereas the lingual one is thin and lower. Initial osteotomy confirms that bone heights at #18 and 19 are 6 and 8 mm, respectively. Counting 2 mm of the buccal plate and bone graft lingually, a 8 mm long implant may be a practical option at the site of #18.
Xin Wei, DDS, PhD, MS 1st edition 11/02/2017, last revision 11/23/2019