Avoid Placing Lingually-Inclined Implant

A 50-year-old lady has lost the teeth #30 and 31 for long time with supraeruption of the teeth #2 and 3.  Orthodontic intrusion results in enough space for #30 implant.  CT coronal section shows that the crest at #30 is lingualized (Fig.1 *).  If osteotomy starts at the crest (Fig.2 red), the implant will be lingually inclined (Fig.3 green); an angled abutment has to be used (red).

When osteotomy is guided by surgical stent (Fig.4 red), the implant (Bicon) will be better positioned (Fig.5 green).  A straight abutment is suitable for restoration (Fig.6 red).

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Xin Wei, DDS, PhD, MS 1st edition 02/27/2016, last revision 03/15/2016