Are you considering getting dental implants? If so, you have a whole lot to look forward to! Once your new teeth are in place, you can expect them to last for decades with the right care. That said, it’s normal to be a bit nervous about the surgical procedure. Rest assured that the procedure should be perfectly safe, especially if your dentist has invested in advanced dental technology, such as computer programs that plan the implant surgery. Read on to learn why computer-guided dental implant placement simplifies your treatment.
How Dental Implants Are Conventionally Placed
Most dentists and oral surgeons are trained to place dental implants in the traditional manner. Also called freehand placement, this method involves carefully studying a patient’s oral structure with X-rays and/or CT scans and then inserting the implants into the jaw at the angle and location they think is best. Afterward, they capture X-rays to determine whether the implants were inserted properly.
This may sound scary, but more often than not, it actually works. It’s usually most successful in patients who only need one dental implant. In these cases, it may actually be preferable to methods that rely heavily on technology because it’s less expensive and time-consuming.
However, the odds of successful freehand dental implant placement greatly decrease in complex cases, such as if a patient has lost all of their teeth. In these instances, computer-guided dental implant placement is the superior choice.
Why Computer-Guided Dental Implant Placement Is Better
With computer-guided dental implant placement, the dentist uses a CT machine to develop a detailed, 3D representation of a patient’s mouth and jaw. They can then create surgical guides to navigate a patient’s unique oral anatomy and ensure optimal angles, depth, and location for their dental implants in Gorham.
A few key benefits of this technique include:
- It significantly reduces the risk of human error, post-op complications, and dental implant failure.
- It allows your dentist to make smaller incisions, leading to a shorter recovery period.
- It might let some patients who were previously ineligible for dental implants qualify for the treatment.
Ask Your Dentist About Their Techniques
The majority of dentists and oral surgeons do not have the training or technology to perform computer-guided dental implant placement. Therefore, you should ask your team questions about the specific techniques they use. Receiving treatment from someone who offers this method ensures you receive the highest-quality care throughout your journey, especially if you’re missing a large number of teeth.
Both conventional and computer-guided dental implant surgeries have their own unique pros and cons, but in some situations, one is clearly preferred over the other.
About the Practice
At Morgan-Hill Dental Care, we provide personalized treatment in a comfortable dental office atmosphere. Each member of our talented team, Dr. Ted Morgan, Dr. Kelsey Hill, and Dr. Brett Morgan, being their own unique expertise to our practice to help patients rebuild their smiles after tooth loss. We use the latest dental technology, including computer-guided implant placement, to maximize the chances of successful treatment. If you are looking for a dentist in Gorham, ME to replace one or more missing teeth, don’t hesitate to visit our website or give us a call at 207-839-2655.