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How planning for dental implant placement works

Oral surgeon reviewing implant placement case with patient

The proper placement of dental implants is an important part of ensuring long-term treatment success and a new smile for years to come. Here is a short guide outlining the dental implant placement planning process.

Determining candidacy

Before an implant placement strategy can be developed, the patient must first undergo an initial evaluation to find out if they are a good candidate for dental implants. During this evaluation the oral surgeon will inspect the gums for disease, check the patient’s overall oral health and take x-rays of the jawbone. In the case of bone loss, a bone graft may be required to add new tissue to the jawbone for additional support.

Type, size and angle

Once a patient is considered to be a strong candidate for implants, additional imagery is taken for the surgeon to determine the best type, size and angle of implant to use for each restoration. The correct type and length of implant must be chosen carefully to ensure a proper fit while accurately replicating the natural position of each missing tooth’s root.

Number of implants

Determining the number of implants a patient requires will depend on the number and type of restorations that need to be supported:

  • In cases where all restorations will be a single crown for each individual gap, the number of dental implants will match the number of missing teeth.
  • For patients missing multiple teeth in a row, larger restorations such as an implant-supported bridge make it possible to replace three or more teeth
  • A full arch of new teeth can be supported with as few as four implants using the All-on-4 procedure.

Learn more about the implant placement

The best way to understand how dental implants would be placed in your mouth is to schedule an appointment with your oral surgeon. Your doctor can explain which placement strategy they recommend and why and give you an opportunity to ask questions about your specific situation.