Implants · single question
What is the minimum distance between an IMPLANT and a NATURAL TOOTH?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. 1.5 mm
1.5 mm (A) is the minimum distance from an implant to an adjacent natural tooth. This distance:
• Protects the natural tooth's PDL and crestal bone from the implant's bone remodeling zone
• Prevents crestal bone loss around the natural tooth's root
• Provides space for proper soft tissue emergence profile
• Compare: implant-to-implant = 3 mm minimum; implant-to-natural tooth = 1.5 mm minimum.
• In practice, larger distances are preferred for esthetics and hygiene:
- Implant-to-tooth: 2-3 mm ideal
- Implant-to-implant: 3-4 mm ideal for individual crowns
• These guidelines are based on biological width principles and crestal bone preservation studies (Buser, Tarnow).
• Protects the natural tooth's PDL and crestal bone from the implant's bone remodeling zone
• Prevents crestal bone loss around the natural tooth's root
• Provides space for proper soft tissue emergence profile
• Compare: implant-to-implant = 3 mm minimum; implant-to-natural tooth = 1.5 mm minimum.
• In practice, larger distances are preferred for esthetics and hygiene:
- Implant-to-tooth: 2-3 mm ideal
- Implant-to-implant: 3-4 mm ideal for individual crowns
• These guidelines are based on biological width principles and crestal bone preservation studies (Buser, Tarnow).