Technology in Dentistry
The Future of Dental Implants is here!
Advanced techniques & technology have created the process called Computer-Guided Dental Implants.
How does this benefit you?
Compared to Conventional Dental Implant methods, Computer-Guided Dental Implants:
- are more precise
- are less invasive
- are quicker
- usually require no stitches
- cause less pain / discomfort, little or no bleeding, little or no swelling
… and they allow us to place implants into areas of bone where it would otherwise be difficult or impossible.
When discussing dental implant placement methods, there are three types that you need to be aware of – Conventional Implant Placement, Computer Guided Implant Placement and Immediate Placement.
You should be aware of the differences & benefits of each of these methods and how they each might play a role in your ideal dental implant solution. These solutions are all available here, and are utilized when necessary to provide you with the best option for your needs and individual situation.
Computer Guided Dental Implants:
Quick, Easy, Painless, and Precise
The availability of modern technology and development of advanced techniques have given rise to the Computer Guided Dental Implant Placement Process.
This process is based on a 3D CBCT (3-Dimensional Cone Beam Computed Tomography) scan which allows us to examine the available bone from multiple angles and gives us a very accurate view of the existing bone and adjacent anatomical structures. This digital data is utilized in planning software that allows us to virtually place the proposed Dental Implant precisely into the available bone. This virtual plan is then used to create a customized Surgical Guide for Dental Implant placement which allows for very accurate placement of the implants into the bone at the time of surgical placement of the Dental Implant (Implant Surgery). Because there is no need to visualize the bone, the gums do not have to be cut and “peeled back” to expose the bone, and is therefore described as minimally invasive dental implant surgery.
Computer Guided Implant Placement Methods can be utilized for Single Implant placement as well as Multiple Implant placements, including Full Arch All-on-4 and All-on-6 type cases.
This method also allows for your implant, abutment and final crown to be planned together, and it may even be possible to have them all completed in a single session! These are also known as “teeth-in-a-day” procedures.
At Dentistry at Vitality Health, we have patients who have had multiple dental implants placed using computer-guided surgery, and have gone right back to work or even playing a round of golf! (Note: We do not recommend this: We do recommend that our patients take a break from heavy activities after surgery).
Comparison of Vitality
Computer-Guide Surgery vs Conventional Surgery
| VITALITY COMPUTER-GUIDED | CONVENTIONAL | |
| Diagnosis & Evaluation | 3D Cone Beam CT based | 2D X-Ray Based |
| Surgical Approach | Closed Surgery | Open Surgery |
| Method of Implant Placement | Computer planned & guided - Accurate | Freehand "Eyeballing" Less accurate |
| Precision | High | Variable |
| Invasiveness | Least | Extremely |
| Bone Treatment (Full Arch) | Conserve and Augument | Lots of bone removal - destruction |
| Risk of Post Op Infection | Low | High |
| Swelling | Virtually None | Lots |
| Bleeding/Bruising | Virtually None | Lots |
| Stitches | None | Lots |
| Down Time | Minimal | 1 week or more |
| Final Restoration | New Idealized Restoration | Converted denture |
| Bite & Function | Corrected as necessary | Often not considered |
| Aesthetics | Maximized in New Bridge | Only as good as existing denture |