Inter-Implant Distance — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateProsthodonticsInter-Implant DistanceORE Part 1

CBCT planning is being undertaken for two adjacent implants in the aesthetic zone. What minimum distance should be planned between the implant platforms to help preserve the interimplant bone crest?

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Correct answer: D — At least 3 mm

Explanation lettering: D = shown as A · A = shown as D

A is correct. When two implants are adjacent, plan at least 3 mm between implant platforms/shoulders. In a clinical study of adjacent implants, sites separated by more than 3 mm had less interimplant crestal bone loss than those at 3 mm or less. Loss of the interimplant bone peak increases the distance from the restoration contact point to the bone crest and may compromise papilla presence, particularly in the aesthetic zone. A 1 mm or 2 mm separation is therefore insufficient because the lateral bone-remodelling zones may overlap. A 5 mm or 10 mm separation is not the minimum required and may unnecessarily restrict prosthetically driven implant placement.

Reference: Tarnow DP, Cho SC, Wallace SS. The effect of inter-implant distance on the height of inter-implant bone crest. Journal of Periodontology. 2000;71(4):546-549. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10807116/