Implant placement
The ideal siting and orientation of the implant is dictated by the restorative requirements, but this may have to be modified by the existing ridge morphology and adjacent anatomical structures. Following elevation of the flaps the surgical stent, should be tried in. In partially dentate cases the stent should be stabilised on adjacent teeth and provide guidance of where the planned labial faces, occlusal surfaces or cingulae of the teeth to be replaced are to be located. An example of a suitable stent is shown in figure. In edentulous cases it is far more difficult to provide a stable stent as it will have to rely upon a mucosal fit in areas where the mucoperiosteum has not been raised. Ideally an implant should be placed such that:
It is within bone along its entire length. Exposure of limited areas of implant surface associated with bone defects such as dehiscences or fenestrations may be acceptable, but larger ones may require augmentation.