3

The more practical solution may be to reduce the length of the implant by removing an anterior leg. The cut edges must be smoothed and retapered (11) . The posts of the remodeled implant can then easily be centered (12) under the crowns without intruding into the bicuspid's periodontium (13) .

Generally, the more teeth missing, the greater the ridge problems although inserting posterior bladevents often become easier. The longer span often reflects more edentulous time, with its accompanying problems. When the molars and second bicuspids are missing, more bone will resorb in this area than would occur during the same period of time when only the molars were missing.

In posterior partially edentulous situations it may be necessary to reduce the post height of standard bladevents to assure occlusal clearance. The posts must be ground down until they no longer interfere with closure. This is done with a disk or stone, preferably outside the mouth prior to final seating, with the implant steadied by securing the post so that the neck is not overworked. The posts can also be reduced directly in the mouth immediately post insertion without fear of loosening or dislodging the bladevent, a feature unique to this implant.

Problem Ridge:

Shallow and Narrow

A shallow ridge is often a narrow ridge. The tendency in the posterior regions, as in the anterior, is for the buccal surface (1) to resorb more rapidly than do the lingual (2) or occlusal surfaces (3) . Thus the typical resorption pattern is a thinning of the ridge at the expense of the labial and buccal surfaces, closely followed by a loss of height. However, whereas the anterior ridge loses height only from the crest, posteriorly the ridge becomes shallower as the crestal bone resorbs nearer to the canal (4).

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