A surgical guide for accurate mesiodistal paralleling of implants in the posterior edentulous mandible

Abstract

Malaligned implants often complicate the clinical and laboratory procedures employed for the fabrication of superstructures. Due to improper load distribution, an overall increase in stress concentrations on supporting implants may occur; in the long run, this may compromise the maintenance of the bone-implant interface. The utilization of surgical stents is imperative for optimum implant installation. This article describes a modified surgical stent that serves as a guide to proper mesiodistal paralleling of dental implants.