The Use of Bone-, Tooth- and Mucosa- Supported Stereolithographic Guides for Dental Implant Placement

Conventional Versus Computer Aided Implantology

Introduction:

The use stereolithographic (SLA) guides may provide significant benefits in simultaneous placement of multiple implants, especially in large edentulous areas lacking anatomic landmarks for surgical reference. Planning of the implant positions prior to surgery may shorten the duration of the surgery spent by exploring and determining the suitable implant location on the edentulous alveolar crest in the standard technique . Previous studies have demonstrated the use of many SLA guide in this manner, however; most were designed to be used as placed on the alveolar crest (bone-supported) following a flap exposure, and there was no depth-control of the osteotomy drills. Further advances in stereolithography allowed flapless surgeries to be performed via mucosa-supported guides (Rosenfeld, et al. 2006c, Tardieu, et al. 2007). The use of these guides eliminates not only the time required for incision and flap exposure but post-operative patient morbidity and discomfort may also be reduced, due to the non-invasive nature of the procedure. The aim of this study is to investigate the accuracy, surgical and post-operative complications and post-loading outcomes of implants placed by the conventional and aforementioned computer-aided methods.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy patient with at leat one edentuşous jaw

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with at least one edentulous jaw with healthy systemic and oral status without severe alveolar bone athrophy, major alveolar hard and/or soft tissue deficiency, mouth opening restriction, heavy smoking (> 10 /per day) and parafunctional habits were included in the study.
• All patients were initially evaluated for the suitability of an implant supported fixed prosthesis and any patients unsuitable for such prosthetic superstructure (i.e. severe hard and soft tissue athrophy, insufficient hygiene practice etc.) were excluded.