Surgical Planning Softwares and Computer Guided Implantology

Abstract

The evolution of three-dimensional imaging concurrent with improvements in computer hardware, computer software, graphics processing power, lower costs, and increased number of vendors has provided clinicians with a wealth of opportunity to address the needs of patients with various clinical presentations. A direct result has been continued innovation for dental implants and ancillary applications for guided surgical and restorative applications. The use of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) has impacted the profession by bringing the world of diagnostic imaging directly to the clinician’s office. Innovations continue to provide solutions to clinicians for dental implants and beyond especially with the advent and implementation of 3-D printing and stereolithography. The adoption of in-office or in-lab lower cost 3-D printers and availability of new and improved resins has revolutionized the process for the fabrication of surgical guides and has served as a catalyst across the industry for innovation and expanded use beyond implants. Therefore, the current state-of-the-art encompasses the design and fabrication of surgical guides including not only osteotomy drill guidance for conventional implants, but also bone reduction guides, direct links to the transitional restoration delivered on the same day, and for ancillary surgical protocols including bone grafting, sinus lift guides, bone harvest guides, and guided zygomatic implant placement as described in this chapter. The reality, however, is that regardless of the method utilized, advanced digital tools and imaging technology serves only as an aid to enhance the foundation of diagnosis and treatment planning.