Suggested mesiodistal distance for multiple implant placement based on the natural tooth crown dimension with digital design

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to identify a mesiodistal algorithm for multiple posterior implant placement based upon an ideal prosthetically restoration design. METHODS: One hundred one cases of posterior free‐end edentulous arches were selected for digital crown designs and measurements. Cone bean computed tomogram and digital fabricated crown were applied. DICOM files were exported to a viewer software (BlueSkyPlan4) to generate digital crown and measurement. The mesiodistal space between roots of adjacent teeth and center of the potential implant horizontally, from both cross‐section and coronal plane were measured. Comparisons were performed using t‐tests. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the distances of the maxillary and mandibular posterior implants to adjacent natural teeth (p > 0.05). For interdental/implant distances, premolars are around 4.2 mm and molars are 5.4 mm, correspondently. The second premolar interimplant distance is around 7–7.4 mm. The distance of interimplant of the first molar is about 8–8.5 mm. For the maxillary second molar, the interimplant distance is 9.26 ± 0.29 mm and the mandibular second molar interimplant distance is 9.58 ± 0.19 mm, which is significantly different. No difference was found between the two different measurement methods. CONCLUSION: A mesiodistal algorithm of 4–4.6 (implant to adjacent canine tooth), 7–7.4, 8–8.5, and 9–9.5 mm was recommended for interimplant/tooth distance from first premolar to second molar when placing implants with or without case‐specific prosthetic planning prior to surgery.