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Guided implant surgery
Implant positions are planned using 3D imaging and intraoral scans. A personalised surgical guide may be used in suitable cases to help implement the plan.
A custom surgical guide is made from the patient's 3D CBCT and the design of the future tooth. It helps keep the implant's position, angle and depth close to the plan.
Key facts
- When it helps
- Front teeth, sites near a nerve or the sinus, multiple implants
- Planning
- 3D CBCT + intraoral scan + design of the future tooth
- Accuracy
- Average deviation in studies about 1.2–1.4 mm, so a 2 mm safety margin is kept
- Incision
- Possible without cutting the gum in suitable anatomy
- Is it mandatory?
- No; in simple cases a freehand protocol based on the plan is used
- Price
- Confirmed according to the plan after examination and 3D CBCT
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Your questions, answered.
Have another question?
A guide is a custom template that transfers the virtual plan into the mouth. It sits on the teeth, gum or bone, and the direction and depth of the drills are limited by channels in the guide. It is made from a plan that combines the 3D CBCT, an intraoral scan and the design of the future tooth, and is then 3D printed.
No. In studies the average deviation between the planned and actual position was about 1.2 mm at the implant entry point, 1.4 mm at the tip and 3.5 degrees in angle. That is why a margin of at least 2 mm is kept from the nerve, the sinus and neighbouring roots. A guide does not replace the surgeon's clinical judgement, and healing, hygiene, smoking and bite forces also affect the outcome.
A guide is especially useful for front teeth, for sites close to a nerve or the sinus, and when several implants are placed. In these situations even a small deviation can affect appearance or safety. In simple cases an experienced dentist can place the implant correctly freehand, following the plan. The decision is made individually after the examination.
In suitable anatomy a flapless protocol, without lifting the gum, is possible, but it does not suit everyone. For example, an implant placed without opening the gum can end up outside the band of firm (keratinised) gum. So whether a flapless approach is used is decided at the examination, based on the condition of the gum and bone.
The preparation stage takes a little longer: a CBCT is taken, an intraoral scan and the design of the future tooth are made, and the guide is produced. In return, the operation itself is more planned and has fewer surprises. Decisions about position are made on screen rather than during the operation. Because the position is known in advance, a temporary crown can sometimes be prepared before surgery.
An implant placed too close to the neighbouring tooth can cause the gum papilla to collapse, one placed too far towards the lip can lead to gum recession, and one placed too deep can raise the risk of inflammation. If the axis is tilted too much, the screw hole comes out on the front surface of the tooth. A position error cannot be fully corrected later with the crown, so the implant site is planned around the future tooth.
STEP BY STEP
From first visit to a new smile.
Knowing what comes next helps you feel more at ease.
STEP 01 / 04
Meet and examine
At your first visit, we discuss your health, expectations and questions. An examination and, when needed, 3D imaging help us assess your starting point.
We listen
We listen to your wishes and assess your oral health.
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YOUR FIRST STEP
Let’s talk about your smile.
Ask your questions and let’s plan a convenient appointment together.