In recent years, medicine and dentistry have experienced great advances. In many cases, technological advances are used to develop new medical techniques. Thus, dental implantology has benefited from the development of technological innovations that facilitate the surgical process and avoid complications, as is the case of 3D visualization.
3D planning is a new technique that has been implemented in maxillofacial surgery, allowing computer-guided implant placement. The technology is based on placing dental implants very accurately with the help of a template that is made by means of three-dimensional planning programs.
In order to create this template, a scan of the patient’s jaws must be requested beforehand. The images resulting from the scan are included in a computer and through a sophisticated 3D planning software we can see on the screen a three-dimensional reconstruction in real size of the bones of the face.
When we have obtained the image of the patient in the computer, the program allows us to simulate the operations on the patient digitally. In other words, we have the option of carefully and accurately choosing the best places to place the implants.
Once the location of the new implants has been decided, a surgical template is requested through the Internet, which will allow us to copy exactly the planning made. This template is received in a few days and fits perfectly in the patient’s gum to place the implants through it.
The use of the 3D technique is always indicated for those patients who require dental implants, but especially in those cases in which a great deal of precision is required, either due to lack of bone or because of a particularly visible area.
Advantages of 3D planning
The main advantage is the certainty that the placement of the implants has been carried out with a very precise system that guarantees the perfect placement of the implants in the ideal place.
3D planning is so accurate that a provisional prosthesis can be prepared and screwed to the implants as soon as they are placed. This is called immediate load prosthesis.
Another advantage of this technique is that it is performed with minimal incisions, so no sutures are necessary and the operation time and postoperative discomfort for the patient are significantly reduced.
Finally, it should be noted that 3D planning makes it possible to place implants in complex cases where there is little bone, as it allows all areas of the jaw to be observed and used to the maximum, which would be almost impossible without the help of this technology.