CBCT and Digital Technology for Prosthetically Driven and Guided Implant Placement Surgery

The combination of 3-dimensional (3D) implant planning, guided surgery, and virtual restoration design has completely changed implant dentistry. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and 3D imaging are now essential tools that enable dentists to digitally plan prosthetically driven implant placement based on a detailed diagnosis of the patient’s condition and the anticipated restorative outcomes. By digitally planning ideal implant location, position, and angulation—and ensuring this is achieved through the use of a digitally created surgical guide—the digital implant treatment workflow enables control and evaluation of all aspects and components of the treatment (eg, implant and abutment selection, implant placement, margin location, tissue contours, contacts). The result is an accurately placed implant that is ideally restored in a much more efficient and predictable manner.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Explain the diagnostic benefits of CBCTs compared to traditional radiography for planning implant placement.

• Identify the necessary prosthetic considerations that must be accounted for during implant placement planning.

• Describe examples of instances in which CBCTs and treatment planning software can help to determine ideal implant position and angulation.

• Discuss the CBCT and digital treatment planning workflow involved with surgically and prosthetically driven implant placement and restoration.

About the Author

Armen Mirzayan, DDS
Private Practice, Los Angeles, California