Treatment Planning the Edentulous Maxilla: Global Consensus for Clinical Guidelines

The 1st Global Consensus for Clinical Guidelines (GCCG) in Implant Dentistry presented clinical guidelines for the rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla including the specific steps in the clinical workflow. The overall workflow includes patient selection, diagnostics, treatment planning, treatment procedure, complications, and maintenance. This manuscript focuses on the treatment planning aspect of the clinical guidelines outlined in the global consensus. Presenting all treatment options to each patient is extremely important to make sure the definitive treatment procedure is selected based on medical risk factors, local bone and soft tissue defects, previous treatment failures, esthetics, phonetics, functional concerns, patient desires, and financial considerations. Utilizing tools such as CBCT scans and a diagnostic wax-up or digital treatment planning, the number of implants and planned restoration (FP1, FP2, or FP3) is confirmed. This finalized prosthetic plan it then used to determine implant position, diameter, and length, as well as selecting anterior-posterior spread, planned hard and/or soft tissue grafting or bone reduction, provisional restoration, and loading protocol.