Digital Implants

Digital Dental implants are an impressive way to restore missing teeth. They have been used for many years and can be adapted for many situations. They do not decay and function just like natural teeth. Dental implants are the best way to replace teeth. However, until recently, the way they have been placed was an invasive and time-consuming surgical procedure. They were placed where they would be guessed likely to fit and many times they are not planned with thought to future functional longevity and cosmetics. Now, with the advancement of digital 3-D imaging, precise computer software, and unique surgical guides you can receive a dental implant that replaces missing teeth with pinpoint accuracy, minimum discomfort, and beautiful cosmetics. 

Digitally directed implants are based on a pre-planned CAT scan of your mouth. This 3-D image is taken while you wear a scanning appliance that replicates any missing teeth. The CAT scan image is then placed within very precise computer software to create predictable and accurate surgical guides. These unique surgical guides are the main benefit of a CAT scan image.


Before beginning any implant treatment the first step should be to determine if you are a good candidate for implants. This will save you any unnecessary surgery. The CAT scan allows the doctor to see the underlying bone from every possible angle, as well as the position of vital structures such as nerves and blood vessels. If it is determined that you are not a good candidate then there may be other options for you, such as bone grafting. In the end, being a good candidate relies upon your jaw anatomy, functional position, and cosmetic adaptation. 

After screening the next step is to determine where to place the implant. Implant placement is now directed by where there is a need for future teeth. There are no compromises made. The position of a proposed new tooth should dictate the placement and angulations of the implant. Following a planned tooth position, surgical guides are made out of hard acrylic with metal directional tubes to maintain implant placement. Incorporating the CAT scan information into virtual treatment planning software creates the guides described within this article. This unique treatment planning software coupled with the CAT scan image is the main factor in accuracy and reduced invasiveness.
 
Not all implant surgical guides are created the same. Most other surgical guides are designed using a model of your mouth and make inferences about the underlying bone and soft tissue. It is a best guess type of scenario, which many times does not actually correlate with what the doctor finds at the time of surgery. This inaccuracy is what leads to surgical compromises and cosmetic disappointments. Digital dental implants prevent these inaccuracies and provide balance at the time of surgery.

Finally, at the time of surgery the surgical guide is held down over the area where implants will be placed. Then the implants are placed through the guides with exact depth and angulations. Because of the accuracy of the surgical guide large incisions and invasive flaps of tissue are not made. The surgical guide allows for a small entry site through the tissue not requiring stitches. This type of surgical process also reduces the amount of time in surgery sometimes as much as 75%.  Also, when placing implants in this manor the recovery time is greatly reduced. Most patients react with less postoperative discomfort and sensitivity.

At this time, digitally directed implants are the most advanced way to help people with missing teeth. You can now receive a dental implant that replaces missing teeth with 75% less surgery, no incisions or stitches, reduced postoperative discomfort, long term function, and a predictable outcome with accurate results. If you are looking into having missing teeth replaced ask your dentist about digitally directed implants.