Virtual Implant Planning and Surgical Guide for Single Implant Placement Fabricated from a Digital Diagnostic Cast, 2-dimensional Radiographic Imaging, and an Open-source Program: A Dental Technique.

Abstract

A technique for virtually planning single implant by combining an intraoral digital scan, an opensource computer-aided design software program, bone sounding, and 2-dimensional radiographic imaging is described. The surgical implant guide is fabricated by using additive manufacturing technologies. Furthermore, the surgical implant guide positioned in the patient's mouth is used to radiographically verify the estimated mesio-distal implant angulation before proceeding with the surgical intervention and modified, if necessary. When a cone bean computed tomography scan is not available, this technique eases implant planning procedures and minimize possible surgical complications.