Diminished Bone Volume and Patient Wants Implant Case: Recommendations?
Dr. B asks:
I have a female patient in excellent health who is missing #18 [mandibular left second molar; 37]. The tooth has a vertical fracture, and an abscess, and was extracted. The area has healed uneventfully but there is decreased bone height and the ridge diameter [buccolingual] of about 5mm. Number 19 [mandibular left first molar; 36] appears to have a periapical radiolucent lesion around the root but is asymptomatic. The patient wants an implant to replace #18. Can you make any recommendations for how I can accomplish this? What method of bone augmentation do you recommend?
