Computer Guided Implant Surgery: A Clinical Report

Abstract

The conventional practice of implant site preparation and implant placement is carried out freehand after treatment planning based on interpretation from a two-dimensional IOPA (Intraoral periapical radiograph) or OPG (Orthopantamograph) and by a wise clinical judgment. Much is left to guessing till the actual surgical appointment where we may be greeted by uncertainties related to soft tissue thickness, bone volume, bone density, proximity to anatomic structures, etc. Computer guided implant surgery is a CAD-CAM (Computer aided designing – Computer aided milling) solution to avoid such surprises. Here a virtual surgery based on a CT (computerized tomographic) scan and a surgical template made in accordance to it guides the depth, diameter and orientation of the implant. The surgery may be done flapless and requires minimum time. This article illustrates the use of an alternative for highly demanding surgical cases with the use of computer-guided implant placement on a 48 years old female patient, who was referred for placing implants in both maxilla and mandible. This technique optimizes implant placement and soft tissue esthetics while providing the patient with a fixed restoration. Computer-guided technology enhances accuracy and precision of the surgical procedure, minimizes complications and facilitates surgery in challenging anatomical locations.