To provide optimal implant-based clinical care for partially edentulous patients missing 2 to 3 teeth, the practitioners must consider implant location and design of the restoration prior to implant surgery. Restrictions imposed by mesial-distal space, esthetics, ideal pontic form, soft and hard tissue maintenance, bone volume, and the desire to limit grafting procedures can often be overcome by using fewer implants and a cantilever prosthesis design. This issue of Prosthodontics Newsletter discusses this treatment planning and design concept, along with clinical outcomes.

View Pdf