258 Theories and techniques of oral implantology

Long edentulous spans (maxillary or mandibular)

Implants of all kinds work extremely well in edentulous spans between natural teeth. They often help support weakened teeth by taking part of the occlusal load off them.

The type of implant is determined by the amount of bone, and the number of implants used is deter-mined by the length of the span. Linkow has found the double-posted blade a boon for such cases.

Sometimes only two broken teeth or roots flank a long eclentulous span (Fig. 6-73). The amount of tooth surface remaining is so inadequate that it is difficult to construct a fixed partial denture. By introducing an implant into the edentulous span, the teeth are stabilized and all three support the super-structure.