A Case Of Success - Surgical Guides

Thanks to how far technology in dentistry has come, recreating and improving a smile, as well as giving the gift of smiling back to a patient who is not able to do so anymore, is now possible.

Dental implant surgery is a procedure that thousands of people opt to get every year due to the loss of a single tooth or multiple teeth. There are different types of dental implant styles and procedures used to restore a patient’s full denture based on their objectives and desires. To optimize and assure high-quality results in these surgeries, surgical guides are utilized.

A surgical guide for dental implant surgery is the latest addition to dental implant surgery and – without a doubt - they’re a step toward the future of dental surgery as a whole.

We believe that a dental surgical guide can be great for patients who are about to undergo dental implant surgery and expect effective results from the procedure.  

The procedure without guides

Dental implant surgery is one of the most common practices in dentistry, but its effects can last a lifetime if done correctly.

Before performing the procedure, your dentist should verify that you are a candidate for the procedure by performing a series of exams and evaluations, such as:

·Reviewing your medical background and history to make sure that you don’t have any conditions that could complicate the procedure or the healing process for the implants;

·A treatment plan to follow closely that suits both your necessities and objectives, as well as any other factors that could affect the composition of this plan, such as how many teeth are going to be extracted and replaced and if performing a bone graft is necessary.

Your dentist will use anesthesia on you to prevent you from feeling any discomfort or pain during the procedure.

If there’s not enough bone support on your jawbone to hold the dental implant properly into place, your dentist could resort to a bone graft. Bone grafting is when natural bone or bone substitute material is transplanted onto another part of the body to repair damaged bones. It could take several months for the bone to grow and support an implant properly.

During surgery, your dentist will expose the bone by making an incision on your gum. Your dentist will proceed to drill a set of holes on your jawbone where the implant or implants will be placed. This is one of the most complex and hardest tasks for a dentist, as locating the exact place in which the implants will be set is very time-consuming and could complicate both the procedure and results if not done properly.

A temporary crown or denture will be set in place while the tissue and bone that surround the implant heal.

Once the tissue and bone are completely healed and osseointegration has taken place between the implant and your jawbone, a follow-up surgery could be done to place the dental abutment onto the implant. A dental abutment is the upper part of a dental implant that serves as a connector between the implant and the crown.

An impression of your denture and bite will be taken with a special paste-like material. This impression is used to fabricate and craft your new crown.

If you’re going to undergo a restoration aesthetic procedure such as a smile makeover (which can be achieved through an all-on-4 or all-on-6 procedure), your doctor may ask you to choose between a removable or fixed set of dentures.

How are surgical guides implemented?

A surgical guide for the implant is made by taking a digital image of the patient’s mouth using CAD/CAM technology. After a 3D recreation of the patient’s mouth is put together within a special software, a crystal-clear surgical guide with the holes for the implant is 3D printed.

During the procedure, the dentist sets the implant surgical guide onto the place in which the holes for the dental implants will be drilled. These guides help the dentist find the socket into which the implant will be installed faster and reduce the margin of error that could happen by determining the exact location without the use of surgical guides.

Once the surgical guide is properly set in place, your doctor will proceed to make the holes into which he will install the implants.

An example of success

Our D.D.S Marla Patiño shares the story of a patient who came to our clinic to have 2 dental implants placed on the posterior area of their inferior maxillary bone (around the area in which the molars are located).  

In order to determine the exact zone in which the implants will be posted, a 3D scan of the patient’s mouth is taken using special software. That scan is later taken as a reference to create a digital plan

With the use of this aforementioned software, a 3D digital mockup is recreated using a digital replica of the implants that will be used for the operation.

After the surgical guide mockup is finished, a physical, 3D-printed copy that follows the patient’s exact specifications and oral features will be manufactured to use during the surgery. The implants will be installed after the surgical guide has been properly fitted.

Having the latest technological advancements in dentistry is important to us here at Sani Dental Group. Learn more about how our technology can help you in your next procedure.

Types of Dental Implants

What is the right type of implant for me?

There are different types of implants to suit different patient situations. It’s important to discuss your objectives and expectations with your dentist so they can guide you and assess you when choosing the right set of implants.

Some of the most common dental implant types are:

· Pure ceramic implant (metal-free) – a dental implant with great esthetic results due to its color, and offer a similar healing process to titanium implants. Great for patients who have shown allergic reactions to metal.

·Zygomatic implant – these implants are used on patients who haven’t had a successful dental implant procedure before, or don’t show favorable  

·3 on 6 implants – which consist of 3 dental bridges that are attached to six dental implants, and are often used in full-mouth reconstructions, or procedures that aim to restore a full missing arch.

Here's a full list of the implants that we offer at our clinics, as well as their prices. 

Using a surgical guide

Where can I experience the benefits of a surgical guide?

If you’re a candidate for dental implant surgery and want to experience how a surgical guide can benefit you in the process, we invite you to schedule an appointment with us.

Sani Dental Group is the #1 dental clinic for Los Algodones Dental Implants – we also have another location in Playa Del Carmen to attend to all of your esthetic dentistry needs. Take a look at the full list of our locations.

If you want to book an appointment at any of our clinics, feel free to call us at (928) 257-1307 or request an appointment with us and start your journey to a healthier, beautiful smile.