Fixed-prosthetic implant restoration of the edentulous maxilla: A systematic pretreatment evaluation method

The Bedrossian pretreatment screening method systematically considers the presence or absence of a composite defect, the visibility of the residual soft tissue crest, and the availability of bone in 3 radiographic zones as guidelines for the selection of 3 potential fixed implant restorative designs, as well as the optimal implant surgical approach. Use of these differential diagnosis criteria allows an early determination of the treatment necessary to meet patient expectations before a significant amount of time and resources has been invested. A limitation of this protocol is the inability to measure the width of the residual alveolar bone available. While the panoramic survey film is a valuable 2-dimensional scouting radiograph and allows the practitioner to evaluate the height and length of the residual alveolar bone, use of 2-dimensional tomography that can precisely measure the width of the remaining ridge can aid the clinician in making a final determination of the likely outcome of the planned treatment. Communication between dental colleagues, students, and faculty, as well as third-party payment providers, can be made more uniform by the adoption of this evaluation method. © 2008 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.