All cases begin by completing a short order form that provides information about the patient and the proposed surgery. Once that has been completed and submitted, the treating dentist takes a Cone Beam CT scan of the patient and sends the stone model of the patient’s arch to us for 3D surface scanning. (Depending on the patient’s condition, it may be necessary to scan the patient with a radiographic guide and scan the radiographic guide separately.) The DICOM data from the CT scan (or the DICOM data from the two CT scans, if using a radiographic guide) is uploaded to Scan Implant Guide by the dentist.
Once uploaded to us, our technician loads the CT scan(s) and the 3D stone model scan (if appropriate) into the Scan Implant Guide Planning Software, and digitally aligns them to create a 3D virtual model of the patient’s jaw. Using functions in the software, the technician will trace and highlight the path of the inferior alveolar nerve through the 3-dimensional virtual model to assist in safe implant placement planning.
At this point, the technician will send the case files back to the treating dentist to complete the treatment plan for the patient. The dentist will use the virtual model of the patient’s jaw created using the Scan Implant Guide Planning Software to plan and position the placement of each of the implants in three dimensions.
Once the implants have all been positioned, the clinician will complete the treatment plan and the software will run an error analysis to make sure implant placement does not impinge any adjoining teeth, implants, nerve or other structures.
After any such errors are corrected, the treatment plan is finalized by the clinician and uploaded to Scan Implant Guide, where our technician will use the approved plan to complete the design and fabrication of the surgical guide.
Below, are a series of instructional videos that explain in more detail how to access and use the functions of the Scan Implant Guide Planning Software to complete the patient treatment plan.