What is Guided Implant Surgery?

Guided Dental Implant Surgery is when the dentist utilizes advanced machinery and imaging technology to “guide” or aid them to manufacture and place dental implants more efficiently, precisely and accurately. Computer guided implant surgery is significantly quicker, oftentimes resulting in the patient getting his or her new teeth on a single dental office visit.

This new and improved dental implant surgery allows the dentist to have a more complete picture of the patient’s mouth and accurately produce the most appropriate dental implants. These steps that use to require many dental office visits can now be performed on the same day, concluding with the surgery. In one day, a patient can have new teeth and a renewed smile.

The technology commonly used in computer-guided dental implant surgery include: 3D imaging, computerized topography (CT) scans, CAD and CAM computer imaging and digital x-rays.

The general process of guided implant surgery is as follows: A CT scan of the patient is taken and the dentist and his or her assistant come up with an individualized surgery treatment plan unique to that patient. The dentist then utilized advanced computer technology to place the implant. The dentist then uses 3D imaging technology and CAD digital design software to fabricate models of the crowns to be placed. The dental lab receives the models and digitally designs the restorations, using CAM software. The dentist then places the new crowns on the implants. Finally, digital x-rays are taken to ensure proper placement and dimensions of the implants and crowns.

Computer-guided dental implant surgery is one of the many advances in the dental industry that makes for more effective treatment and more enjoyable patient experience.