Computer Guided Dental Implant Placement vs. Non-Guided Surgery: Revolutionising Precision and Patient Benefits

Advances in technology have revolutionised dentistry, particularly in the realm of dental implant placement. Traditionally, non-guided dental implant surgery relied on the clinician’s skill, experience and, to a degree, luck, while computer-guided dental implant placement utilises cutting-edge technologies like cone beam CT scanners and 3D dynamic navigation systems such as the X-Guide by Nobel Biocare. In this blog, Dr Robin Horton of Wayside Dental Practice in Harpenden, Hertfordshire will explore the key differences between computer-guided and non-guided dental implant surgery, highlighting the numerous benefits that computer-guided implant surgery offers to patients.

Understanding Non-Guided Dental Implant Surgery

Non-guided dental implant surgery involves your dentist manually assessing the patient’s jaw structure and determining the optimal location and angle for implant placement. Although dentists are highly skilled, this technique relies on their visual estimation and judgment, which can lead to a slight margin of error. The absence of advanced imaging technology may limit the clinician’s ability to precisely assess the patient’s jaw-bone quality and quantity, potentially resulting in suboptimal implant positioning. Not being able to virtually plan the final crown or restoration means that it is harder to achieve a perfect aesthetic result.

The Power of Computer-Guided Dental Implant Surgery

Computer-guided dental implant surgery represents a significant advance in implantology, offering precise planning and improved patient outcomes. This technique integrates cone beam CT scanners, intra-oral scans and 3D dynamic navigation systems like the X-Guide by Nobel Biocare, providing dental implantologists with a comprehensive digital workflow for implant placement.

1. Precise Preoperative Planning: Computer-guided implant surgery begins with a cone beam CT scan, producing high-resolution 3D images of the patient’s oral structures. These images help us evaluate the quality and quantity of available bone, detect vital structures, and plan the optimal implant placement. Precise preoperative planning reduces the risk of complications, ensures predictable outcomes, and enhances the longevity of the implants.
2. Enhanced Accuracy and Precision: Once we have assessed the CT scan, using advanced software we merge its data with the data we get from an intra-oral scan to virtually plan the implant placement in a three-dimensional digital environment. So, we know where the implant is going to go and what the final crown will look like before we start. The 3D dynamic navigation system, such as the X-Guide, further enhances accuracy during surgery by providing real-time, interactive guidance. The system tracks the position and movement of the drill in relation to the planned implant position, assisting the dental team in achieving precise angulation, depth, and positioning of the implant. With it we can achieve accuracy to 0.2mm and an angle deviation of less than 1%. This level of accuracy minimises the risk of damage to surrounding structures, ensures that the implant is placed at the correct angle and depth to improve integration and the best aesthetic outcome.
3. Improved Patient Safety and Comfort: Computer-guided implant surgery prioritises patient safety and comfort and as all the planning is done beforehand, the procedure is much faster on the day. Additionally, the accurate placement of implants ensures optimal functional and aesthetic outcomes, enhancing patient satisfaction and confidence in their restored smile.
4. Time Efficiency: Computer-guided implant surgery optimises the treatment process, reducing chair time for both the team at Wayside Dental and the patient. Precise planning and guided placement minimise the need for additional procedures and potential complications, resulting in fewer postoperative visits and reduced overall treatment time.

Computer-guided dental implant surgery has revolutionised the field of implantology, offering numerous advantages over traditional non-guided surgery. With precise preoperative planning, enhanced accuracy and precision, improved patient safety and comfort, and increased time efficiency, computer-guided implant surgery sets a new standard for implant placement. Technologies such as cone beam CT scanners and 3D dynamic navigation systems like the X-Guide have empowered clinicians to achieve optimal outcomes and provide patients with predictable, long-lasting results. As this field continues to evolve, patients can confidently embrace computer-guided dental implant surgery as a superior option for their oral rehabilitation needs.

Dr Robin Horton is one the first dentists in the UK to be trained in and have the X-Guide 3D Dynamic Navigation Implant System in the practice and available for any patient with missing teeth, looking to replace dentures or their missing teeth. He now teaches X-Guide Navigation to other dentists from all over Northern Europe at Nobel Biocare’s digital experience centre in Zurich. For more information or to book your consultation contact the practice today.