SURGICAL STENT GUIDE

The surgical stent is recommended to aid the surgeon in proper implant placement. Surgical stents with teeth forms with their cemento-enamel junctions defined by the template are recommended as a positional guide for implant placement so ideal mesio-distal, bucco-lingual and long axis orientation of the implant(s) can be determined. These stents are important for the best emergence profile and proper axial directed loading forces. The surgical stent (template) is also used to determine the need for grafting for better implant placement.

In the event a lack of available bone and/or anatomical structures that may prevent ideal placement, secondary sites may be chosen, or implants may be placed in other locations predetermined to achieve the alternate treatment plan. Guided by the surgical stent, the surgeon may determine the required number, location or axial orientation of the implants to successfully complete the prosthetic reconstruction dictated by the treatment plan(s) and may elect to place no implants. To fabricate the surgical stent, the implant laboratory may assist the surgical and the restorative dentist as well as providing suggestions.