Computer-Guided Implant Dentistry

Dr. Johansen's office offers implant placement and restoration all in the same office. Most cases do not need referral to other offices for implant placement and then back to our office for the final restoration. The implant case is planned and completed from start to finish by Dr. Johansen.

Dr. Johansen uses the latest technology for implant placement. Computer-Guided implant placement is the safest, least invasive and most accurate method for implant placement.

What is Computer-Guided Implant Placement?

Computer-guided implant placement uses the latest technology to "virtually" place the implants into the patient's scanned jaws using computer graphics. This model is then transferred to a surgical guide that is actually used on the patient during the implant placement visit.

This process ensures the implants are placed at the precise angle and depth to most efficiently use the available bone. This results in the strongest, most stable implant integration possible. It also allows us to choose areas for placement ahead of time which give the best esthetic results.

Step 1

The first step is to have a scan of the patient's jaws performed. The scan is called a cone-beam scan or i-CAT scan. This scan offers many advantages over the conventional CT scan...

• One 20 second scan provides 3-D data for improved patient diagnosis.
• The patient is seated and in an open environment.
• Significantly less radiation than a medical CT scan.
• Lower cost to the patient than a medical CT scan.
• No hospital appointment for patient.

Step 2

The 3-D digital information obtained from the scan is then imported into a computer loaded with the proper software. The resultant image appears as shown below.

Notice the four panes which illustrate four different views of the patients bone structure. There are cross sectional, axial, panoramic, and 3-D model views which allow us to evaluate all aspects of the patient's jaw.

All these views are exact one-to-one dimensional representations of the actual bone.

Step 3

The next step is to actually place the implants into the bone represented in the scan. With all the views available and exact replicas of the implants, we can safely and accurately place the implants in the most ideal position. The images below show the placement of three implants into the lower jaw of the patient. This image shows the first implant (yellow). Notice the placement directly through the middle of the bone and oriented in the ideal position (upper left pane).

The yellow portion above the bone level is just an extension of the implant for orientation purposes. The implant level is usually at or near the height of bone as shown in the image below.

Here is a similar image showing the exact placement of the second implant (pink) in the ideal position.

Again, placement of the third implant (blue) placed ideally and away from the mandibular nerve shown in orange.

After placement of the three implants, their positions and alignment can be evaluated by rotating the 3-D model to any position as seen below. Again, the yellow extensions above the implants are for visualization purposes only. The implants themselves are placed level with the bone crest.

Also, the placement can be viewed using the transparent mode to be sure the implants are not interfering with each other or any vital structures (nerves, sinuses, etc.)

Step 4

Once the virtual implant placement has been completed a surgical guide is fabricated from the digital information.

This guide is then used on the patient during the actual implant placement to guide the dentist while placing the implants in the exact location as designed.

The surgical guide transfers the exact location from the computer generated placement to the patient during the surgical procedure. This means the implants are placed in the patient's jaw according to the computer-guided treatment plan.

The placement is accurate, safe and non-invasive resulting in ideal placement of the implants giving the strongest result with the least amount of trauma to the area. This means minimal post-operative pain and ideal restoration of the implants.

After the implants sites are healed and the implants are stabilized in the bone, they are ready for the final restorations.

In the image below you can see two implants placed on each side of the lower jaw. These implants have fixed (cemented) porcelain crowns on them which provide the patient with very strong and completely natural feeling replacement teeth.