Evaluating the implant candidate 255

a fixed superstructure or can be splinted to each other with a dolder bar and coping attachments to support a removable prosthesis attached with internal clip bars, Ceka or Gerber attachments, or a frictional grip of the acrylic itself.

The posteriorly edentulous maxilla (unilateral or bilateral)

There is usually enough bone in a partially edentulous jaw to support some type of endosseous implant. When a great deal of bone remains, a

blade, post type, or tripod implant can be used (Fig. 6-63). The less the bone, the more limited the choice. Only shallow blades should be attempted in shallow alveolar bone (Fig. 6-64). The post type implants should only be set in deep bone. The pin implants are limited in use because they must be widely splayed to provide an adequate brace.

Sometimes there is very little or no bone below the antral floor (Fig. 6-65), which contraindicates implants of any sort. There are many cases, how-ever, that show a good amount of bone in the maxil-

Fig. 6-68. Only pin implants can be placed in the small amount of bone flanking the sinus.

Fig. 6-69. Both posterior edentulous areas of this mandible contain a good amount of alveolar bone, which makes them suitable sites for most types of endosseous implants.