Is it better to splint multi-unit implants or to make them single units?
This is an excellent question that seems to come up frequently and should be addressed during treatment planning. The short answer is it depends on the situation. Lets take a more in-depth look at some of the considerations that come into play. Maintaining oral hygiene is very important in maximizing the life of the implant and restoration. Poor periodontal health can lead to bone loss and, ultimately, loss of the implant and surrounding dentition. Flossing around a splinted restoration is difficult and since it requires extra effort, patients are often less motivated to do their part in maintaining oral hygiene. However, individual units can be flossed as easily as natural teeth and therefore are generally preferred over splinting, provided that the following conditions are satisfied: Quality and location of suitable bone always dictates whether or not implants can be used and where they are placed. If a patient has suitable bone present, individual crowns supported by implants will l
