Tapered Implant
An implant whose body narrows from the coronal to the apical end, mimicking the natural root form and enhancing primary stability in compromised bone.
Full Definition
A tapered implant, also called a conical or root-form implant, features a progressive reduction in diameter from the platform to the apex, closely approximating the morphology of a natural tooth root. This geometry allows the implant to compress bone laterally during insertion, which is advantageous in softer bone types (Lekholm & Zarb types III–IV) where primary stability may otherwise be difficult to achieve. The tapered design also facilitates placement in post-extraction sockets. Editors should distinguish 'tapered implant' from 'parallel-walled implant,' which maintains a constant diameter throughout the body, and should not confuse 'tapered' with 'conical connection,' which refers to the abutment joint, not the implant body shape.
Usage
Usage note: Do not confuse 'tapered implant' (body geometry) with 'conical connection' or 'Morse taper connection' (abutment joint design); these refer to different structural elements.
In Context
- "A tapered implant was selected for immediate placement into the molar extraction socket to maximise apical engagement." — Surgical planning notes
- "The authors compared crestal bone loss between tapered and parallel-walled implant designs over 36 months." — Peer-reviewed journal article