Dental Nation
Dental technology

Guided Implant Surgery

Static guides can place implants with outcomes similar to conventional techniques, but long-term data and economic benefits remain unclear.

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The short answer

Guided implant surgery uses a digitally generated static guide, with implant and prosthetic outcomes similar to conventional techniques in reviewed evidence.

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Guided Implant Surgery dental educational illustration

What is guided implant surgery?

Outcomes considered when comparing a static guide with conventional techniques
OutcomeComparison focus
Implant survivalWhether implants remain successful[1]
Prosthesis survivalWhether the prosthesis remains successful[1]

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Findings reported for guided placement
FindingWhat was reported
Surgical complicationsNegligible in the systematic review[1]
Flapless guided surgerySlightly more patient comfort[1]

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How is it used in implant treatment?

The technology uses a digitally generated surgical guide during implant surgery. Research comparisons have examined surgical, implant and prosthesis complications, survival, maintenance, patient satisfaction, and economics.

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What are the limits?

Long-term data are lacking in the reviewed evidence. The economic benefit of guided flapless surgery is also unclear, even where the patient may experience slightly more comfort.

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How does it compare with conventional placement?

Conventional implant placement is the direct comparator. The reviewed randomised evidence found similar implant survival and effectiveness for conventional and digital placement procedures.

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What does this mean for a patient?

A guide changes the way an implant is placed, rather than establishing a higher survival result. In the available review, implant and prosthetic outcomes resembled those expected with conventional techniques.

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Is guided implant surgery safe?

The systematic review reported a negligible number of surgical complications with guided surgery. Evidence based on two randomised trials found similar effectiveness and implant survival for digital and conventional procedures.

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Frequently asked questions

Does a guided implant have a better survival rate than a conventional implant?

The reviewed randomised evidence found similar implant survival and effectiveness for conventional and digital implant placement procedures.

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