JUSTIFICATION FOR RIDGE MODIFICATION TO ACCOMODATE LONGER IMPLANTS

Moderate to severe atrophy of edentulous alveolar ridges may render implant placement difficult or impossible and may compromise, even if the placement of small dimension implants is possible, the final outcome of implant-supported prostheses both from a functional and esthetic point of view. The reconstruction of atrophic ridges may solve these problems but exposes patients to higher morbidity. The aim of this presentation is to present different treatment protocols, including the use of small dimension implants and ridge reconstructions followed by placement of standard dimension implants, underlining both advantages and limits of these two different approaches.