Interactive computerized tomography for dental implants. Treatment planning from the prosthetic end result.

With the prosthetic end result driving many parameters of dental implant treatment, it is imperative to plan treatment with the final prosthesis in mind. Traditional diagnostic information via periapical and panoramic radiographs are only 2-dimensional, and offer limited information. Through utilizing an interactive computerized tomography (CT) program (Sim/Plant; Materialise, Inc), the clinician can plan on a computer-correct placement of dental implants with respect to position and aesthetics in a 3-dimensional (3-D) view. With the information from the interactive Sim/Plant program, a computer-milled surgical guide stent (Implant Logic Systems) can be made that is based on the desired prosthetic end result for the patient. Through following this protocol a surgeon can place dental implants while taking into account several factors: reducing iatrogenic damage to vital structures; choosing the correct implant size, shape, and surface; hard-tissue density and volume; the relationship of implants to the final prosthesis; and assessment of preexisting pathology.