Easier to Deal with Implant Failure if Implants Are Free-Standing?
Anon. asks:
I have a patient treatment planned for an implant supported fixed partial denture extending from #9 to 14 with implant fixtures placed in the #9, 11, 13 and 14 sites and pontics in the #10 and 12 areas – a total of 6-units with 4-implants and 2-pontics. #14 will be a wide platform implant and the others will be regular platform. My surgeon is not recommending that I make #14 a free-standing implant and crown and not connect to the fixed partial denture. He also recommends placing an implant in the #12 site and making a fixed partial denture to connect #9, 11 and 12. He feels that the canine site should have more support. He also advises that #13 should be a free-standing implant and crown. His orientation is that implants fail even if everything is done right. With his treatment plan, it would be easier to retreat implant failure in the #13 and 14 sites if it occurs because those implants will be free-standing. What do you think?