Implantology — Placement Timing
Which ITI placement classification applies once the socket has healed 4-8 weeks post-extraction?
Case
A patient presents for extraction of a periapically infected tooth. The socket will need to heal before any further intervention is considered.
Type 1 — Immediate Placement
Correct —Type 2 — Early Placement
Type 3 — Delayed Placement
Type 4 — Immediate Loading
Explanation
Type 2 (Early Placement) applies to infected sockets that required healing first, typically 4-8 weeks post-extraction. This gives soft tissue closure and reduced infection risk while still preserving most of the ridge width — and is generally considered the most forgiving starting point for a dentist newer to implant placement.
Clinical Pearl
Type 1 (same-day) placement carries the highest technical difficulty of the three. If you're placing your first 20-30 implants, default to Type 2 or Type 3 — the predictability is worth the wait.
Reference: ITI placement classification