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CAD/CAM - international magazine of digital dentistry

providetheclinicianwithabetterunderstandingof an implant’s bone/soft tissue stability (Figs.1–12). The ideal scenario in modern implant dentistry wouldbetheimplantreplacementforeverymissing singletooth(Figs.13&14).Thesingletoothreplace- ment guarantees good aesthetics, consequently to the fact that a single crown that follows all criteria of a natural-looking soft tissue emergence profile can support the soft tissue in order to recreate papillae anatomy. Another important aspect of single crown restorations on implants is that the patient can follow a better oral hygiene compared to bridge- works. Nevertheless, bridgeworks are commonly used as alternatives to single tooth replacement. The reasons are multifactorial, with the cost- benefit factor at first place (Figs.15 & 16). Another significant facet is the atrophic bone situation of the patient, were complicated and expensive bone graft procedures are needed before even thinking of placing single implants. Alternatively to sophisticated and expensive bridgeworks (Figs.17 & 18), cost-effective and sim- pleprosthetictechniquesweredevelopedinthelast years. One of this techniques, the Fixed on SHORT™, allows to provide the patients with bone atrophies or partial bone deficiencies with a fixed, metal free prosthetic that can be supported by four to six short implants (Figs.19–22). _Conclusion In this short and synthetic article, the authors like to show the variety of treatment options when implants and prosthetic materials are used with the criteria of long-term crestal bone preservation, recreation and long-term stabilisation of the bio- logical width around the implant/crown and the use of short- and ultra-short implants in all clinical situations. The proper selection of an ultra-short or short implant depends strictly on the implant design which dictates the implant’s function._ Editorial note: A complete list of references is available fromthepublisher. I opinion _ short implants 18 I CAD/CAM 2_2013 Fig. 22Fig. 21 Figs. 13–16_Bridgeworks. Figs. 17 & 18_Complex bridgeworks. Figs. 19–22_Fixed-on-SHORTTM technique for fixed, metal free prosthetics. Fig. 20Fig. 19 Fig. 18Fig. 17 Fig. 16Fig. 15 Fig. 14Fig. 13 Prof.Dr Mauro Marincola Via dei Gracchi,285 I-00192 Roma,Italy mmarincola@gmail.com CAD/CAM_contact