Molar restorations supported by 2 implants: an alternative to wide implants

The single-tooth restoration has become one of the most widely used procedures in implant dentistry. Improvements to the abutment implant interface design, wider implant platforms and the increased use of cemented restorations have greatly enhanced this procedure. Nonetheless, limitations in the volume of underlying bone and heavy occlusal loads, with or without parafunctional habits, still contribute to occasional disappointments in restoration stability. The use of 2 implants to restore a molar has been shown to eliminate problems associated with bone volume and prosthetic stability. One of the most significant barriers to the widespread use of this concept has been the limitation of the size of implants and their associated prosthetic components. This paper presents the use of 2 implants to replace a single molar using implants and prosthetic components in the Astra Tech Dental Implant System.