Patrick Palacci: Why use narrow implants ?

Replacement of missing lateral incisors is a routine indication for narrow implants. Dr Palacci suggests and discusses much broader use of narrow implants, e.g. in cases with narrow ridges, limited amount of bone or concavities. Use of narrow implants is a low invasive treatment option and can assist in optimizing implant position, preserve bone and the buccal plate, and simplify and shorten implant treatment considerably. In the anterior zone short implants can optimize the treatment result in cases with high lip line and mobility and esthetic expectations. In a ten year follow-up study with 834 narrow implants placed there were no component or implant fractures. Dr Palacci concludes that the use of narrow implants is a safe and reliable technique, is possible in almost every area, with the exception of the posterior mandible and maxilla with limited bone height, and offers 'simplicity as the ultimate sophistication (Michelangelo)'.