In addition to assessment of restricting

anatomical structures, the potential implant sites need to be assessed to rule out any disease that

may compromise and complicate the outcome of

the dental implant therapy. Commonly occurring

local diseases, such as chronic odontogenic

inflammatory lesions, may complicate healing of

the surgical site. Local changes in normal bone

architecture (as seen in fibro-osseous conditions like

periapical cemento-osseous dysplasia, enostosis, or

idiopathic osteosclerosis) and systemic conditions

(such as osteoporosis) should be taken into

consideration prior to implant placement. Thorough

clinical assessment as well as assessment of all

available radiographic images is necessary to rule

out pathology. In the event of surgical removal of a

pathologic lesion in a given implant site, care must

be taken to initiate the process of implant placement

after healing and remodeling of the surgical defect

to ensure the availability of sufficient healthy bone

for osseointegration with implants. Hard and/or soft

tissue grafts may be required prior to successful

implant placement in some of those cases.