Tech Tips  Proper Implant Spacing

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With the new product lines offered with Zimmer Dental implants, you have more choices than ever before. These new design options provide the restoring doctor the ability to provide more esthetic restorations due to the flare of the abutments. These flared abutments create an emergence profile that is similar in diameter to the natural teeth they are replacing. Because the abutments are larger in diameter than the implants they are used with, proper planning must be employed to guarantee enough space is available to seat the flared components.

Spline Implants

The Spline 3.25mm platform implant prosthetic line flares to 4.5mm. The 4.0mm diameter implants offer both 4.5mm and 5.5mm options. The wide diameter 5.0mm implant line has prosthetic components that flare to 6.5mm

Internal Hex Implants

The Screw-Vent 3.5 platform implant prosthetic line flares to 4.5mm and 5.5mm. The 4.5mm platform implants offer 4.5mm, 5.5mm and 6.5 options. The wide diameter 5.7mm platform implant line has prosthetic components that flare to 6.5mm.

Single Stage Implants

The AdVent Implant prosthetic line flares to 4.5mm, 5.5mm and 6.5. The Swiss Plus 4.8mm platform implant prosthetic line 3.5mm, 5.2mm and 6.0mm flare options. The 3.8mm platform implant prosthetic line flares to 4.6mm.

External Hex Implants

The Taper-Lock Implant prosthetic line flares to 4.5mm, 5.5mm and 6.5mm.

The surgical guidelines from Zimmer Dental have always recommended allowing 4-6mm distance "rim-to-rim" spacing between implants. When the minimum recommended distance of 4mm is used, 2mm of bone is present around the mesial and distal of each implant to withstand occlusal loads. Zimmer Dental recommends greater than 1mm of bone be present on the buccal and lingual surfaces of the implant. If only 1mm of bone was maintained circumferentially around the implant, it would still require 5.25mm in diameter; this would be less than the recommended minimum quantity of bone mesial-distal. If too little bone is present between implants, the small amount of bone may provide insufficient support. The illustration shows the amount of space between the abutments when the implants are placed 4mm "rim-to-rim." While the ultimate decision of where to place the implants is made by the surgeon, based on a variety of clinical parameters, this visualization may be helpful for case planning purposes.