Advances in technology have created a new standard for safety and precision in the field of implant surgery. You can now opt for computer guided dental implant surgeries which are quicker, better planned and eliminate the risk of human error.
Implant surgery is a permanent solution for tooth loss and significantly improves your quality of life. At Dental Artistry, we offer computer guided dental implant surgery – the ability to precisely plan and accurate placement of the implant is a viable option for most patients.
What is computer guided implant surgery?
With advanced technology and equipment, we can scan and virtually plan your implant surgery in detail beforehand. Every surgery is unique and planning takes into account your specific needs. 3D software and printers allow us to fabricate a personalised surgical guide that replicates the virtual planning. A surgical guide greatly reduces the risk of human error reducing the risk of complications. A precisely placed implant improves the treatment outcome and reduces the treatment time.
Comparing traditional implant surgery and computer guided surgery
Conventional tooth implant placement surgeries involve longer procedures and recovery periods. They generally require more processes and need more incisions to be made to the soft tissue as well.
Performing a computer-guided implant placement procedure makes it possible for our surgeons to identify and place the implant more accurately in the ideal position. Being able to map the entire surgery specifically for your case makes the procedure more efficient, predictable and safer. 3D guided implant placement allows the surgeon to avoid the multiple vital structures such as blood vessels, nerves or air spaces. Computer guided implant surgery can be an especially valuable approach in cases where multiple dental implants need to be placed. This is because the implants must be in a specific angulation and position relative to each other.
How does computer guided surgery work?
To start with, Cone-beam Computed Tomography Systems (CBCT) are used for a scan so that your jaw can be 3D reconstructed in digital implant planning software. This allows for virtual planning (i.e implant position and size) and printed in 3D as a surgical device. A different guide is created for each patient.
During the procedure, we use this guide to position and fix the titanium implant with extreme accuracy into the jawbone. The titanium ‘root’ is biocompatible and once it bonds with the bone, a crown that imitates a natural tooth is placed on top. The 3D guide makes this a more controlled and calculated procedure, eliminating the risk of human error and reducing the need for soft tissue incisions. Overall, it decreases the chances of causing damage to healthy gums, adjacent teeth and vital structures. Additional benefits include minimal postoperative discomfort and complications. It also allows for a much quicker recovery period.
Why do surgeons choose this procedure?
As computer aided surgery enables us to meticulously plan the procedure beforehand, thus reducing the risk of complications or failure, we consider it to be a safer option. This technology shows us the location accurately, giving us a clear picture of details such as the anatomy of the root and the thickness of the tissue. This helps us to map out implant procedures for complicated cases in advance and reduces the possibility of unexpected complications arising during the procedure. Being able to make the procedure safer means that more people can opt for implant surgery as a means of restoring their smiles and improving their quality of life.
An additional benefit is that, with this interface, we are able to better explain the treatment plan to our patients. You will be able to gain a more comprehensive understanding of probable outcomes, available options, risks and contingencies.
Is computer guided quicker than traditional implant procedures?
Yes, computer guided implant procedures are quicker than conventional procedures. Since we are able to get a comprehensive, more accurate picture of the area with a CBCT scan, we will be able to produce a well-suited dental implant much quicker than before.
Is 3D guided dental implant surgery more expensive than the traditional procedure?
Computer guided dental implant surgery can be more expensive than conventional implant procedures due to the additional CBCT imaging, 3Dplanning and fabrication of the 3D surgical guide. On average, the cost is approximately $1000 more than non-3D guided dental implant surgery. However, you gain impressive benefits including quicker recovery time, reduced risk and higher levels of accuracy. If you are worried about this additional cost, get in touch with us to discuss a customised treatment and pricing plan.
Who would be the best candidate for 3D computer-guided implant surgery?
If you are eligible for conventional implant surgery, you will be able to opt for computer guided implant surgery. At Dental Artistry, we feel that this approach would be especially beneficial for you if yours is a complicated case that requires preliminary bone grafting, or in cases at the front of the mouth where the position of the implant is critical to achieving a beautiful cosmetic result. Implant planning would also make it easier if you need to have multiple implants.
Get in touch with us to learn more about how computer guided implant surgery can benefit you.