Disadvantages and Advantages of Guided Implant Surgery

Because dental implant surgery is such an intensive and complicated operation, many patients opt to utilize removable dentures due to their relative affordability and ease. However, computer-guided dental implant surgery, a modern surgical guide, has the potential to be a game changer for many people in the long run. This is because it makes it possible for the general public to create prosthetic teeth that mimic the jaw-anchored bite of natural teeth.

Let’s go through what this new technology includes and the disadvantages and advantages of computer-guided dental implant surgery.

What is Computer-Guided Implant Surgery?

Thanks to computer technology, the days of extended wait periods, the need for bone grafting on jawbones lacking adequate density for big implants, and patients becoming frustrated when undergoing painful implant surgery that takes months to heal are behind us.

In computer-guided surgery, the patient’s cone beam CT scan is used to accurately map out the implantation, resulting in a more exact result when the chips are down.

Visualization and Guidance

Visualization is a crucial part of computer-guided implant surgery. The implant surgeon will not go in blind and will be able to edit images of the patient’s jawbone and surrounding tissue to plan the procedure.

Careful Planning

The computer and CT scan together help the surgeon determine the most exact approach to implant placement, allowing for soft-tissue implantation or surgical implant placement without bone grafts.

More Precision

With computer guidance and powerful scanning technology, there is less guessing and estimation. This allows doctors to see the surrounding tissues, teeth, and jaw environment.

Faster Healing

Surgeons will not have to cut any deeper than necessary since they will not have to search for the missing tooth socket. They know where it is because of the scan and software. The placement is as accurate as the placement of gears on a watch.

Accuracy is the Whole Point

Any situation in which more precision is necessary for implantation or implant surgery due to its complexity may justify the cost of computer-guided implantation. In addition, the technology utilized for treatment planning helps surgeons to map out location and morphology.

What’s Involved in the Computer Guidance Process?

Before we talk about the advantages of guided implant surgery, let’s see the process of aided implantation. Computer-guided implant surgery, like X-rays and CT scans, is a game changer in the medical sector. This procedure allows dentists and surgeons to see the general architecture of the jaw from the start.

The following processes comprise the entire process of computer-aided insertion.

Overall Scan of your Jaw Area

A modern Cone Beam CT scanner will first scan your jaw region. This gives dental doctors a three-dimensional view of the jaw region. Your nasal canals, nerve tissues, bone quality and amount, specific tooth locations, and jaw are all included. This provides for a more structured workflow.

Creating the 3D Model of Your Jaw

Once the computer has received the CT scan, it will utilize highly sophisticated software to create a 3D model of your jaw. As a result, the implant or implants can be virtually placed in the perfect placements imaginable. To properly insert the implant into your jaw and empty tooth socket, the surgeon does not need to go blind or make further incisions.

Prepare the Drilling Guide

The 3D model with the simulated implant location is then transmitted to a specialist laboratory, which creates a drilling guide for the surgeon to utilize. The guide aids in properly inserting the implant into the jaw or soft tissue with as few incisions and invasion of your gums and bone as feasible during surgery.

The Implant Process Itself

Implant professionals may now utilize the drilling guide to accurately put the implant in the optimal location, requiring the least amount of surgery. This type of guidance allows the surgeon to do implantation on the same day. In addition, some dental practices utilize dental lasers to make the operation less intrusive since they encourage healing and minimize swelling.

Advantages of Guided Implant Surgery

As long as you can afford it, the advantages of guided implant surgery outweigh the drawbacks. Here are some of the numerous advantages of guided implant surgeries:

Precise and Accurate Implant Placement

One of the most obvious advantages of guided implant surgery is that it enables more precise and accurate implant placement than traditional procedures. CT scans of the jaw are collected during guided implant surgery and utilized to build 3-D pictures of the oral anatomy. This information is used by specific computer software to produce a surgical template to determine the best placement places.

Risk Reduction

Computer-guided implant technology allows the surgeon to examine the structures of the jaw, teeth, and neighboring tissue, lowering the chance of unanticipated difficulties during surgery and allowing the surgeon to precisely place the implant.

Shorter Surgical Time

There is no uncertainty with guided implant surgery since a precise surgical template is established. This allows the treatment to be done faster than standard dental implant surgery, allowing patients to begin recovering sooner.

Better Patient Education

The method behind computer-guided implants is based on thorough scans of the oral anatomy. These images and pictures may be used to educate patients about their oral hygiene and clarify the dental implant procedure.

Ability to Restore Dental Function Immediately

Traditional implant surgery takes many months to recover before the complete dental function is restored. However, many candidates can get their implants on the same day, thanks to computer-guided implant surgery. Patients can have restored dental function after only one treatment with same-day restorations.

Implants Are Frequently Placed in Compromised Jawbones

Long-term tooth loss may result in atrophy or a change in the form of the jawbone. It is feasible to see the distinctive structure of each patient’s jawbone using computer-guided technology. This enables optimal dental implant insertion even when the jawbone is weakened.

Assists in the Placement of Additional Implants

Computer-guided surgery may also be advantageous for patients who already have dental implants. It allows for the accurate placement of existing implants, guaranteeing that subsequent implants are placed in the best possible sites.

Disadvantages of Guided Implant Surgery

Now that we are through with the advantages of guided implant surgeries let’s talk about the drawbacks. The initial expense of purchasing specialized surgical equipment and planning software, and the time required for training, are one of the primary disadvantages of guided implant surgery. While computer-guided implant surgery may be more pleasant and faster for the patient, physicians may spend more time arranging the procedure than traditional implant treatments. However, the technology necessary for computer-guided surgery is becoming more affordable; as the benefits become evident, more practices are expected to invest in the requisite equipment and training.

When to Use Computer-Guided Implant Surgery?

You know about the advantages of guided implant surgery, but when should you use it? In some cases, computer-guided implant surgery can be quite beneficial. For example, if the patient needs three or more implants to be put sequentially, or if implant placement is important to the outcome of the intended restoration, you might consider looking into this treatment option. In addition, patients with bone structure or volume issues or who require extensive bony architecture changes may benefit from computer-guided implant surgery.

Computer-guided surgery can assist in preventing complications caused by existing implants or nearby teeth. Patients who are completely edentulous or need immediate extraction and a quick implant may be candidates for this type of surgery. Regardless of the benefits, guided implant surgery is not always essential, and you may have been frequently and effectively inserting implants freehand or without guided surgery for a few decades.

How Accurate is Guided Implant Surgery?

Guided implant surgery may achieve up to 98% accuracy, much greater than typical implant placement procedures. This implies that patients can benefit from increased safety, fewer problems, and better results.

Aside from its high precision, guided implant surgery is a minimally-invasive method with reduced pain, bleeding, and swelling. In addition, patients can usually resume their normal activities within a few days of the surgery.

How Much is Computer-Guided Implant Surgery?

The cost of computer-guided implant surgery can vary based on several factors, including the procedure’s location, its complexity, the type of implants utilized, and the surgeon’s expertise. In addition, because of the advanced technology used, computer-guided implant surgery can be more expensive than traditional implant surgery.

It is critical to meet with a knowledgeable dental practitioner to discuss the facts of your case and acquire an exact cost estimate. It’s also a good idea to check with your dental insurance company to see whether they cover any percentage of the cost of implant surgery.

Computer-Guided Implant in Ahwatukee, Phoenix, Arizona

Guided implant surgery may be the best option if you want a safe, accurate, and predictable solution to tooth loss. At Atrium Dental Clinic, we specialize in providing guided implant surgery to our patients, employing cutting-edge technology and modern procedures to provide the best possible results.

Our experienced and trained team of dental specialists is committed to giving each patient customized care and attention, ensuring that your implant procedure matches your specific needs and preferences. With our guided implant surgery procedure, we can help you create a beautiful, healthy smile that will last a lifetime.

Don’t let tooth loss or other dental problems interfere with your quality of life. Contact us today at (480) 940-4321 or fill out our online appointment form and learn more about how implant surgeries may help you regain your confidence and smile. We look forward to assisting you in achieving maximum oral health and wellness!