A quick and simple method to obtain a radiographic evaluation of remaining alveolar bone height before implant placement.

This article describes a method for making a diagnostic radiographic evaluation of remaining alveolar bone height in the bounded-saddle patient without the previous fabrication of a study model and radiographic ball-bearing template. The method presented is simple, enabling the busy practitioner to perform immediate radiographic diagnosis and inform the patient at the first visit about the available alveolar bone height at the site of planned implant insertion. This method is therefore time saving for both the dentist and the patient.