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Implants · patient case question

What is the minimum distance between an implant and an adjacent natural tooth?

Patient case: Implant to natural tooth distance

Scenario: What is the minimum distance between a natural tooth and a dental implant?

  1. 3 mm
  2. 1.5 mm
  3. 4 mm
  4. 1 mm
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. 1.5 mm

  • A. 3 mm is the minimum distance required BETWEEN TWO ADJACENT IMPLANTS — a different measurement. It is greater because implants lack a periodontal ligament and each generates its own zone of crestal remodelling.
  • B. Correct. A minimum of 1.5 mm is maintained between an implant and an adjacent NATURAL TOOTH. This preserves the tooth's periodontal ligament and its blood supply to the interproximal crest, protecting the papilla and preventing crestal bone loss between the two.
  • C. 4 mm exceeds what is required and would compromise emergence profile and esthetics.
  • D. 1 mm is insufficient and risks damaging the adjacent tooth's attachment apparatus and losing the interproximal bone peak.

Note: The implant spacing set worth memorising together: 1.5-2 mm from a NATURAL TOOTH; 3 mm between TWO IMPLANTS; 2 mm above the INFERIOR ALVEOLAR CANAL; roughly 1 mm of bone buccally and lingually.

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