Implant Guides
 

What is an implant guide?

• a custom made appliance that shows the positions of your new teeth
  
• when placed in your mouth, the surgeon knows exactly where
  to place the implants

 

Why are implant guides so important?

• a successful bridge should look natural, feel comfortable and be easy to clean
  
• this result is only possible when the implants are placed in the correct positions
  
• implant guides allow for accurate implant placement, increase safety and reduce complications
  
  
  
  

How is it used?

An implant guide is placed in the mouth and is similar to the blueprint for a new house:  

• the blueprint shows the contractor where to put the foundation for the house
  
  • if the foundation is not correct, the contractor cannot build the planned house
    
    

• the surgical guide helps the surgeon place the implants in the correct position:            
  
  • if the implant positions are not correct, the dentist cannot make a successful implant bridge
    
    
    

There are 3 types of implant guides:

An accurate guide should:

• show the positions of the new teeth of the bridge
• not move during the implant surgery

  

Type 1:   Hand-held Guide

Advantage:  

• Shows the new teeth
  
  •  implants are placed through the opening behind the teeth

Disadvantage: 

• Low accuracy
  
  • this guide is difficult for the surgeon to hold steady
    when placing the implants
    
    
    
    
    

 

 

 

Type 2:  Anchored Guide 

Advantage:  

• Improved accuracy
  
  • guide is anchored with a metal pin
     

Disadvantage: 

• Does not show new teeth
  
  • vertical lines help with correct implant spacing
    
    

 

 

Type 3:  Surgical Template
 

Advantage:  

• High accuracy
  
  • the guide is anchored with multiple pins
    
    

• The guide is based on the positions of the new teeth
  
  • computer software and a virtual 3-D model of the new
    teeth are used to design and make the template
    
    
    
    
    

Disadvantage:  

• Recent surgical innovation
  
• not every surgeon will have the specialized training needed
  to design and use the template
  
  

  

 

 

Implant Guide Summary:  

1.  The appearance and comfort of your new teeth depends on correct implant positions.

2.  To achieve the best positions, the surgeon should use an implant guide.

3.  There are 3 types of implant guides. 
 

Type of Implant Guide	Advantage	Disadvantage
Hand-Held	Shows new teeth	Low accuracy
Anchored	Improved accuracy	Does not show new teeth
Template	High accuracy Shows new teeth	*New procedure

* The use of a template is a recent development in implant surgery; not every surgeon will have the specialized training needed
   to design and use the template.

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