Planning and Assessment of Bone Reconstruction for Dental Implants

Tooth loss leads to many challenges in order to restore the dentition for esthetics and function. These challenges range in complexity from engineering the appropriate type of prosthesis and supporting teeth (as with traditional prosthodontics) to advanced surgical planning and therapies to maintain or reconstruct the alveolar ridge. The ultimate goal is directed towards compensating for tooth loss with dental implants, when appropriate. While shape and size of the residual alveolar ridge are important for function and esthetics in fixed and removable prosthetics, these become critical when dental implants are used to restore an edentulous space. In these circumstances, maintenance of the native bone or reconstruction of the atrophic jaw is mandatory.