While dental implants have been around for many years (the first successful ones were placed in 1965 in Sweden), few improvements in the way they have been positioned until more recently. Previously we would take x-rays of the area we wanted to put implants into and take impressions to make models to see how may would fit and what location. This was quite good, but as the x-rays were only 2-dimensonal (side to side and tip to bottom) and the surgical guides we made would give us a starting position, but not an exact angulation, the results were also only fairly accurate. In most cases no problems occurred, but where there was little room for error it could be tricky.
The latest innovation is a 3-dimensional x-ray (Called a Cone Beam CT) which we take at our practice. We bought it in 2018 and have begun using it more and more since the Covid pandemic has abated. We send the image to a dental technician who can check that there is enough bone to place an implant in advance and then make a fully-directed surgical guide so that it is in the right place. They tell us the exact depth to place the implant and what width and length of implant to use.
The result is more accurate implant placement and a higher rate of success in the long-term. We now use this "digital" system routinely.
To find out more about dental implants check out our page on this website, ask your dentist or hygienist at your next appointment, or give us a call today!