
Compared to other dental restorations—a few of which have been around for over a century—implants are a relatively recent development. But even though it's just now entering its fourth decade, recent advances have catapulted implant therapy well beyond where it began.
That's due mainly to digital technology. Two examples of this, computed tomography (CT) and 3-D printing, are increasing the accuracy and efficiency of implant placement.
Properly placing an implant is one of the most important elements in achieving a natural and attractive result. But finding the best location is often difficult due to a lack of suitable bone volume, the patient's bite or the proximity of anatomical structures like nerves and blood vessels. CT imaging, especially Cone Beam CT scanners (CBCT), is helping to make implant placement planning easier.
Unlike the static, two-dimensional views of standard x-rays, CBCT takes hundreds of images and digitally blends them together to create a virtual 3-D model of the patient's jaw and face. Dentists can view this highly detailed model on a computer monitor from various vantage points and better identify possible obstructions. With better information about what "lies beneath," they can more accurately pinpoint the best implant site.
Creating the ideal plan is one thing—successfully implementing it is another. Dentists often create a surgical guide that helps them drill in precisely the right positions during surgery. The guide, which resembles a mouthguard, fits over the gums and contains marker locations for drilling.
Many dentists are now using 3-D printing to create these surgical guides. A 3-D printer turns a digital model of the guide based on measurements of the patient's mouth and proposed implant locations into an actual physical object "printed out" layer by layer of special polymer material. The end product can be more precise than guides created by other means.
These and other technological developments are helping implant therapy rise to a new level of success. With the resulting increase in accuracy, efficiency and less treatment time, tomorrow's implant patients will be the ultimate beneficiaries.
If you would like more information on restoring missing teeth with dental implants, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “How Technology Aids Dental Implant Therapy.”
Comments:
Find Us
201 Pauline Dr
Berea, KY 40403
859-985-0201
Request Appointment
Our office has flexible hours to fit your busy schedule
Patient Eductation

Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
Tags
- celebrity smiles (93)
- orthodontic treatment (13)
- tooth extraction (2)
- periodontal (gum) disease (1)
- common symptoms (3)
- oral hygiene (27)
- oral health (28)
- diabetes (2)
- pediatric dentistry (19)
- periodontal disease (4)
- gum disease (11)
- diabetic (1)
- teeth whitening (5)
- cosmetic dentistry (24)
- sedation dentistry (2)
- oral sedation (1)
- nutrition (4)
- snoring and sleep apnea (1)
- pregnancy (2)
- root planing (1)
- veneers (3)
- smile makeover (9)
- dental injury (7)
- crown (2)
- wisdom teeth (5)
- tooth bleaching (1)
- oral cancer (4)
- gap (1)
- orthodontics (5)
- bad breath (3)
- braces (6)
- teething (4)
- periodontal plastic surgery (1)
- tooth decay (7)
- bonding (3)
- chipped teeth (4)
- artificial sweeteners (1)
- dental implants (15)
- dentures (3)
- snoring (2)
- sleep apnea (2)
- tmj (2)
- dental injuries (1)
- root canal (6)
- fluoride (2)
- floss (1)
- tooth wear (2)
- mouthguard (2)
- baby teeth (1)
- cracked mouth (1)
- tmd (1)
- tmj disorders (3)
- crowns (5)
- bridge (1)
- chipped tooth (4)
- dental anxiety (1)
- sinus surgery (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- loose teeth (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- missing tooth (1)
- dental care (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- bacteria (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- root canal treatment (5)
- anesthesia (1)
- sensitive teeth (1)
- teeth grinding (2)
- retainers (1)
- geographic tongue (1)
- saliva (2)
- tooth grinding (1)
- toothache (1)
- thumb sucking (2)
- smile design (2)
- porcelain veneers (4)
- dental emergency (1)
- canker sore (1)
- mouthguards (5)
- gummy smile (1)
- adult braces (1)
- cancer treatment (1)
- periodontist (1)
- gum recession (2)
- sealants (1)
- cancer (1)
- sports drinks (1)
- cosmetic gum surgery (1)
- composite resin (1)
- bone grafting (1)
- tooth pain (3)
- dry mouth (1)
- smoking (1)
- dental implant (8)
- retainer (1)
- extraction (1)
- osteoporosis (1)
- vaping (1)
- lingual braces (1)
- antibiotics (1)
- loose tooth (1)
- mouth sore (1)