Planning Assistance

The scanning protocol to be followed will depend on the condition of the patient’s mouth and whether the patient has previous dental work (like fillings or crowns) that contain metal components. For most patients who still have most of their teeth, a CT scan of the patient and a digital scan of the stone model of the patient’s arch will be sufficient. For patients who are fully or mostly edentulous, or patients who have dental work with metal components, it will be necessary to create a radiographic guide for the patient to wear during scanning. Metal-containing dental work near an implant placement site can cause “scatter” in the CT scan that distorts the patient’s CT image. By scanning with a properly fitted radiographic guide, the Scan Implant Guide Planning Software can correct for the “scatter.”

For Partially Edentulous Patients:

• The treating doctor performs initial physical examination of the patient and takes an impression of both arches
  (if necessary) to create stone models.
• The patient is sent to a radiology center for a Cone Beam CT scan, without any radiologic template. (Please see Scan Implant Guide publication “Cone Beam CT Scan and Optical Scan of Stone Model Protocol.”)

For Fully or Mostly Edentulous Patients and Patients with Metal Fillings or Crowns Near the Implant Site:

• The treating doctor performs initial physical examination of the patient and takes an impression of both arches (if necessary) to create stone models.
• The stone model of the patient’s arch is sent to a dental lab to fabricate a radiographic guide, using a wax-up of the proposed restoration.
• In the alternative, the patient’s denture may also be used as a radiographic guide if it meets the following criteria:
  • Teeth are the proper size, shape and length;
  • Well-established occlusion;
  • Buccal flanges are wide enough for gutta-percha markers and retentive pins;
  • Includes hard reline only;
  • Has a secure and close fit to soft tissue; and
  • Contains no radio-opaque or metal materials.
• The radiographic guide is sent to the treating doctor, who checks the guide to confirm a tight, gap-free fit in the patient’s mouth.
• The patient is sent to a radiology center for a Cone Beam CT scan, while wearing the radiographic guide, and then the guide is scanned separately. (Please see Scan Implant Guide publication “Dual Cone Beam CT Scan With Radiographic Guide Or Denture Protocol.”)