Very often, you need an implant in an area where there is very little bone. This can be especially challenging in the mandibular posterior area where there may be less than 10 mm of bone above the mandibular canal. This patient presented with implants in the position of the bicuspids and a molar root that was hemisected and not too promising for a long term prognosis. The roots were extracted and the area was allowed to heal for several weeks before an implant was placed. My estimate was that there was about 9.0 mm of bone above the mandibular canal. I did not place the original implants.

I have added a white line to these radiographs to mark the superior border of the inferior alveolar canal.