If you have a missing tooth, or even a large number of missing teeth, there are now several different replacement options capable of producing results that look, feel, and function in ways that are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. Gone are the days when dentures or dental bridges were the only viable treatment options; today, dental implants have changed the game. Since dental implants are essentially designed to behave in similar fashion to natural teeth right down to the roots, individuals can experience results that may cause them to forget that they ever lost their teeth in the first place. With this in mind, the dental implant process is quite intricate, and the planning stages for the placement of dental implant posts and the custom crowns affixed to them must be incredibly precise to maximize the potential for successful results. This is why our dentist in Chatham, New Jersey, Dr. Matthew Vaccaro, and Dr. Beth Dorfman, our skilled periodontist, utilize state-of-the-art surgical guides for dental implant planning before the treatment is performed.
Dr. Vaccaro and Dr. Dorfman create meticulous surgical planning guides as part of our “restoration first” approach to dental implant procedures. Using 3-D CEREC® Primescan technology, they will take a digital scan of your mouth. This digital impression can later be used as the foundation for a digital model of your oral structures. Once this has been accomplished, 3-D Cone Beam x-ray imaging will produce another digital view of the jaw and teeth, which can help serve as a detailed guide in the planning and accurate placement of the dental implants. A 3-D printer is then employed to create the custom crown restorations. This multi-step process identifies where the crowns should be placed for optimal occlusion (bite) and dental functionality, giving the oral surgeon a precise outline—a “map”—for how the final restoration will be affixed to the implant post beforehand. A “restoration first” approach allows for enhanced collaboration between our dentists and the oral surgeon, helping us all work together to increase the predictability of results and optimize the chances of a successful outcome.
Our surgically guided implant planning system can be utilized for patients undergoing a single dental implant procedure or one that involves replacing multiple teeth with dental implants. It is one of the many ways our dental team here at Vaccaro Aesthetic and Family Dentistry works to provide our patients with the best chances for successful smile restoration that lasts long into the future!
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