Morphology

The Mandible

Mandibular implant surgery tends to be easier than maxillary, primarily because mandibular morphology permits a wider choice of implant sites and more freedom in their use. The mandible has fewer anatomical landmarks potentially threatened by implant surgery or insertion. Further advantages over most typical maxillary interventions are provided by the denser bone typical of the mandible, and the characteristic reformation of a compact bony plate over both anterior and posterior edentulous sites. In the mandible gravity works with, not against, an implant seated on bone, as with the restoration. No matter how much of the residual dental arch remains, the shape of the mandibular body itself facilitates seating implants in a near-normal dental arch line or planning their posts in prosthodontically desirable positions.

Because mandibular situations are less complicated, it is suggested that the inexperienced operator begin with them. However, remember that implant surgery follows a prosthodontic evaluation of the patient's needs, which may require restoring the maxillae first.

Morphology

As in the maxillae, implant surgery is directly related to mandibular morphology. The soft tissues must be incised and retracted

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