Using Guided Surgery for Full-Arch Implants: Enhancing Accuracy and Predictability

Here at Voxel, we were founded on the mission to help doctors establish digital dental workflows, achieving quick & positive ROI with the best value technology on the market. One particular area we like to focus on is the full-arch implant workflow, as doctors searching for ways to boost revenue can find a proven methodology to help them get there. With training and an investment in technology, we can help you get there!

One of the most impactful developments in recent years is guided surgery.

By combining advanced imaging techniques, digital planning software, and custom-fabricated surgical guides, guided surgery enables clinicians to place full-arch implants with a level of accuracy that is difficult to achieve with traditional freehand techniques.

Today, we're describing how guided surgery enhances the accuracy and predictability of full-arch implant procedures, improving outcomes for both patients and practitioners - then walking through the entire workflow for a comprehensive understanding.

What is Guided Surgery in Implant Dentistry?

Guided surgery is a method of placing dental implants using a pre-fabricated surgical guide based on a digital treatment plan.

This guide, often created using 3D imaging data from CBCT and CAD/CAM software, fits over the patient’s jaw and directs the implant placement process with high precision. The guide ensures that each implant is placed in the exact pre-planned position, angle, and depth, reducing the risk of human error.

For full-arch implant restorations, where multiple implants must be placed to support an entire arch of prosthetic teeth, guided surgery is particularly valuable. It allows for a level of precision and control that ensures optimal implant placement and long-term success.

The Benefits of Guided Surgery for Full-Arch Implants

1. Enhanced Accuracy in Implant Placement

One of the most significant advantages of guided surgery is the ability to plan and execute implant placement with high precision. This is especially important in full-arch cases, where the placement of each implant must be coordinated to ensure the stability and fit of the prosthesis.

• Digital Treatment Planning: The process begins with a CBCT scan, which provides a detailed 3D image of the patient’s jaw. This image is then used in conjunction with intraoral scans to create a comprehensive digital treatment plan. The clinician can assess the exact bone volume, density, and anatomy to determine the best implant placement.

• Customized Surgical Guide: A surgical guide is fabricated based on this digital plan, ensuring that each implant is placed in the exact position, angulation, and depth specified in the treatment design. This reduces the risk of misalignment, which can lead to complications or the need for adjustments later.

2. Increased Predictability

Predictability is crucial in full-arch implant cases, where any deviation from the treatment plan can result in prosthetic misfit or the need for additional surgeries. Guided surgery allows for consistent, predictable results, reducing the risk of complications.

• Pre-Planned Surgical Path: With guided surgery, all aspects of the implant placement are pre-determined, including the implant size, position, and depth. This ensures that the surgery proceeds according to plan, minimizing variables during the procedure.

• Reduced Risk of Errors: Since the surgical guide physically directs the implant placement, the risk of human error is significantly reduced. The guide ensures that the drill follows the correct path, minimizing the likelihood of deviation from the planned implant trajectory.

3. Improved Surgical Efficiency

Guided surgery not only improves the accuracy of implant placement but also streamlines the surgical process. Full-arch implant procedures can be complex and time-consuming when performed freehand. Guided surgery simplifies the workflow, resulting in shorter operating times and more efficient surgeries.

• Faster Procedure: With the implant positions pre-planned and the guide directing the process, the clinician can place multiple implants more quickly and with greater confidence. This reduces the total time the patient spends in surgery, leading to faster recovery times and less discomfort.

• Less Invasive: Guided surgery often results in less invasive procedures. In some cases, flapless surgery can be performed, reducing the amount of tissue trauma and leading to faster healing times. This also improves the patient’s overall experience, as there is less swelling and discomfort post-surgery.

4. Enhanced Patient Outcomes

The precision and efficiency of guided surgery translate directly into better outcomes for patients. Full-arch restorations require implants to be placed in such a way that they can support the entire prosthetic arch while ensuring stability, comfort, and esthetics.

• Better Prosthetic Fit: With guided surgery, the implants are placed exactly where they were planned in relation to the final prosthesis. This ensures a better fit for the full-arch restoration, reducing the likelihood of issues such as misalignment, occlusal imbalance, or discomfort.

• Reduced Need for Adjustments: Since the implants are placed with such accuracy, the need for adjustments or re-fittings of the prosthetic arch is minimized. This leads to a smoother overall treatment process, with fewer follow-up visits and adjustments required.

• Higher Success Rates: By optimizing implant placement, guided surgery helps improve the long-term success of the implants. The precise positioning enhances osseointegration (the process by which the implant bonds with the bone) and reduces the risk of complications like peri-implantitis or implant failure.

The Guided Surgery Workflow for Full-Arch Implants

1. Digital Planning with CBCT and Intraoral Scanning The process begins with the collection of diagnostic data through a CBCT scan and intraoral scanning. The CBCT scan provides detailed 3D images of the patient’s bone structure, while the intraoral scan captures the soft tissue and dentition. Together, these scans allow for the creation of a comprehensive 3D model of the patient’s mouth.

Here's just a quick list of our recommendations best suited for full-arch implant workflows. For a deeper dive, we encourage you to check out what our imaging expert, Dustin Haney, has to say for each in his complete summary: Top 5 CBCT Systems for Full-Arch Implants.

• Vatech Green 2
• DEXIS OP3D LX
• Carestream CS 9600
• Rayscan Alpha 3D
• i-CAT FLX v17

2. CAD/CAM Treatment Planning Using CAD/CAM software, the clinician designs the ideal placement of the implants based on the patient’s bone density, nerve pathways, and prosthetic needs. The software enables the practitioner to visualize the final prosthetic outcome and position the implants accordingly. The size, angle, and depth of each implant are carefully planned to support the full-arch restoration.

3. Fabrication of the Surgical Guide Once the treatment plan is finalized, a surgical guide is fabricated. The guide is usually produced using 3D printing and is custom-designed to fit snugly over the patient’s jaw. It features holes that direct the drill to the exact planned implant locations, ensuring precise placement.

4. Surgery Day On the day of surgery, the guide is placed over the patient’s jaw, and the clinician uses the guide to drill into the bone and place the implants according to the pre-determined plan. The guide ensures that the implants are inserted at the correct depth and angle, improving the overall accuracy of the procedure.

5. Final Restoration After the implants are placed and osseointegration is complete, the full-arch prosthesis is fabricated and attached to the implants. The accuracy of the guided surgery ensures that the prosthetic arch fits perfectly, providing the patient with a stable, comfortable, and esthetically pleasing result.

Conclusion: The Future of Full-Arch Implant Surgery

Guided surgery is transforming the way full-arch implants are planned and executed. By enhancing accuracy, increasing predictability, and improving surgical efficiency, guided surgery enables clinicians to achieve better outcomes for their patients while simplifying complex procedures.

For clinicians who perform full-arch restorations, integrating guided surgery into the workflow can lead to higher success rates, reduced chair time, and improved patient satisfaction.

As technology continues to advance, guided surgery will become an even more integral part of implantology, providing the precision and predictability needed to deliver exceptional results in full-arch cases.

HOW TO GET STARTED?

If you’re in the market for a complete full arch workflows, let us help you get the right tech to get started.

Here at Voxel, we have a team of dental technology experts ready to help you find the right equipment for your practice. And, because we’re an authorized dealer of many top technology brands, including all of the brands listed today and more, we’ll be able to help you find the best solutions for your practice at the best value.

We’ve worked with thousands of dentists across the US. We know what it takes to get up and running quickly, especially with new technology. That’s why we back all of our products with a comprehensive warranty, 24/7 product support, installation, and perhaps, most importantly, online and on-site training to help get you and your staff started with your new technology as quickly as possible.

Ready to begin? Give us a call at (281) 789-7270 or fill out an online inquiry form here. We look forward to earning your business.