Guided Dental Implant Placement vs. Freehand Placement: How Should I Restore My Smile?

For quite some time, dental implants have been considered the gold standard when it comes to replacing missing teeth, capable of restoring lost pearly whites in terms of look, feel, and function. However, even though all dental implants serve this purpose, not all of them are placed the same way.

The traditional process for placing implants has seen extensive use over the decades, but now, a technique that relies on advanced technology has stepped into the spotlight. Continue reading to learn a little more about these two methods and some of their key differences so you can go into the process of restoring your smile with unparalleled confidence!

What Is Guided Implant Placement?

Guided implant surgery is an advanced version of traditional implant surgery; it relies on cutting-edge dental technology to guide a dentist’s hands and aid them in both the manufacturing and placement of dental implants. This means that the entire process is more efficient, more precise, and above all else, significantly faster. This is especially advantageous for dental implant cases in which multiple posts must be placed.

How Does Guided Implant Placement Differ from the Traditional Process?

The biggest difference between guided and traditional implant placement lies in the amount of information at your dentist’s fingertips. 3D imaging, CT scans, CAD/CAM software, digital X-rays, and other important types of technology can all provide your dentist with a very clear and detailed image of your mouth, which helps them plan out and perform dental implant surgery.

The traditional process lacks this sophisticated technology and instead relies heavily on the eyes, hands, and knowledge of a dentist. This isn’t to say this method leaves things entirely up to chance; it just takes much more time and effort to achieve optimal results. Multiple appointments are often required, the healing period is longer for patients, and increased discomfort and irritation are very possible.

What Are the Benefits of Guided Implant Surgery?

To put it simply, guided implant surgery comes with a long list of benefits that patients often find very enticing:

• The implants can be placed with unmatched precision and accuracy thanks to the high level of planning involved.
• There are fewer risks during surgery, and the overall process is generally much faster.
• The results look as close to your natural teeth as possible and can last for a lifetime under the right circumstances.
• The procedure tends to be far less invasive, meaning patients can often enjoy a faster and more comfortable recovery time.

Although the traditional method for placing implants has been used successfully for decades, it’s clear that the benefits of guided implant surgery are superior – meaning that it’s an option you should very much consider!

About the Practice

The team at Ross Periodontics has proudly served patients and families in the Mayfield Heights, OH community for several years, offering a wide range of premium services including dental implant placement! Dr. Ross knows just how important technology is when it comes to these types of treatments, so you can rest assured his office stays up to date with the latest in dental implant technology and placement methods. If you have any questions or comments about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with Dr. Ross and his team to set up an appointment, you can visit their website or call them today for assistance. Telephone: (440) 461-6008.