CT-Guided Surgery
Dental implants are typically planned by using a combination of both a clinical evaluation and careful examination of any available dental x-rays. Although extremely helpful, these x-rays only show a 2-dimensional view of the area. Typically, the “width” component and exact location of important anatomy such as nerves and sinuses cannot be adequately determined. We are proud to be able to offer a Cone Beam CT evaluation within our suite for our patient’s convenience.
This scan can be used to help determine where the safest location to place a dental implant exists. Knowing this information in advance of the surgery not only allows for proper surgical planning, but also helps avoid surprises during the procedure.
CT Guided Implant Surgery incorporates 3-D CT scans, sophisticated computer CAD-CAM software, and biomedical engineering. This combination enables Dr. Noori, Dr. Stearns or Dr. Hanzlik to virtually plan and carry out your implant procedures with unrivaled accuracy and ease and to provide our patients with the best implant experience for practically all types of tooth replacement needs.
CT Guided Implant Surgery actually allows your procedure to be “performed” virtually in advance of your surgery. The majority of the work actually occurs when you are not in our office. During the planning stages of implant treatment, a scan will be taken and Drs. Noori, Stearns or Hanzlik will then use advanced computer programs to virtually place implants within the three dimensional representation of your mouth in the safest and most ideal positions. These implant positions can be shared in advance with your general dentist so that your treatment is meticulously thought out from both the surgical and restorative standpoints. Once the plan is perfected, it is sent to a company that makes a surgical guide. The guide allows for the implants to be placed exactly as they had been carefully planned digitally. This surgical guide will only allow the implant to be placed in the predetermined locations.
Guided Implant Surgery is typically performed in less than an hour. The need for incisions or sutures is often avoided which, in turn, helps minimize post-operative swelling and/or discomfort. This state-of-the-art procedure can be used for all patients requiring any type of implant restoration from a single tooth to full mouth restorations.
Major patient benefits:
Increased Predictability and Safety: By planning your treatment and transforming this into a surgical template, there is a much higher degree of patient safety and predictability compared to “freehand” implant placement. Drs. Noori, Stearns or Hanzlik will communicate with your general dentist to ensure optimal aesthetic results even before you begin your procedure.
Minimally Invasive Procedures: This treatment option reduces discomfort and post-operative swelling considerably for our patients compared to conventional treatment by allowing Drs. Noori, Stearns or Hanzlik to truly perform minimally invasive procedures. This treatment method also reduces the number and duration of appointments for our patients, which means fewer interruptions in everyday life.