The preferred method of implant placement for complex cases uses a computer generated surgical guide, based on a C.T. Scan. This is usually used when all the teeth in an upper or lower jaw are to be replaced by implant based teeth. It is also extremely helpful where the site into which implants are going to be placed is close to an important structure like a nerve or where there has been bone loss.

Making the Surgical Guide:
The surgical guide looks like a mouthguard with holes in it.

The holes direct the surgical placement of the implants very accurately.

Step 1:	A C.T. scan is taken of the patient’s jaw bones; if the patient has a denture special markers need to be first placed in the denture so it can be orientated on a computer with the scan of the jaw bones.
Step 2:	The surgical stent is designed using a 3-D computer aided design program. The most ideal placement site is worked out.
Step 3:	The electronic data is sent to Sweden and from this information the surgical guide is made.

The Surgical Procedure with Guided Surgery
The use of the surgical guide gives two great benefits over traditional surgical techniques.

Firstly is the accuracy, the best positions and safest positions are selected for implant placement. The decision takes into account the available bone and the most ideal angulation for the eventual restoration whilst avoiding important structures like nerves.

Secondly the surgery is minimally invasive, only a hole is drilled to allow the precise placement of an implant in its exact position. It avoids gum flaps and stitches, which previously resulted in more post operative pain and swelling.

Guided Surgery is usually extremely well tolerated and it generates very little swelling and only mild to moderate pain killers are required post operatively for short periods.