Technology has led to the creation of improvements and innovations that have permanently altered the way dental professionals deliver patient care.
We strive to continually provide our patients with the highest level of service and expertise to which they have become accustomed, the following digital technologies are now part of our daily operations.
Digital dental technologies enable consultations with patients and timely collaborations with other dental specialties. This allows improved quality of care, enhanced diagnosis, and more precision in treatment planning.
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CBCT Scan
Cone Beam Computed Tomography Scan
Commonly referred to as a CT or CAT scan. The CT images provide a detailed three- dimensional view of the head, neck, and the oral regions to be examined.
A CBCT scan is prescribed to identify critical anatomic landmarks and structures such as:
- tooth root fracture or resorption
- tooth root position
- bone density
- Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) anatomy and health
- Jawbone pathology
- Jaw nerve location
- Sinus floor location, shape, and pathology
Additionally, the 3-dimensional (CBCT) images are used for Computer Guided Implant Surgery (CGIS) planning. CGIS is the virtual planning for precise dental implant placement. This helps to ensure optimal long term functional and esthetic outcomes.
CBCT is painless, noninvasive, and accurate, it provides more information than conventional digital x-rays and can image bone & soft tissue.
The CBCT scanner also emits less radiation than other traditional medical grade CT scans or x-rays.
Digital Intra-oral Scanner
The digital intra-oral scanner provides a new, comfortable, and precise way to take impressions of patients' teeth.
Impressions have historically involved making a mold of a patient's mouth using trays filled with a soft, messy, and often bad-tasting material that would harden around patients' teeth and gums. The digital impression eliminates the “gooey” mess and gag-reflex often encountered. It's just more comfortable!
The digital models are exact replicas of a patient's mouth used to plan precision surgical and restorative treatments.
In addition to being much more comfortable for the patient, using the scanner allows us to be more efficient, saving the patient additional visits.
Digital X-Rays
The improved diagnostic capability of traditional digital dental x-rays is well known and a “standard of care” today. The ability to view and manipulate x-rays on a large screen allows the patient to better visualize and understand their treatment plan.
Digital x-rays are instant and no longer require chemicals to develop the film. The elimination of film and chemical disposal contribute to a cleaner environment.
Digital dental x rays also reduce the amount of radiation exposure (90% below traditional film x-rays).
Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF)
Platelet Rich Fibrin is a healing biomaterial with great potential for bone and soft tissue regeneration.
The PRF slowly releases growth factor proteins to assist in tissue healing .and regeneration without inflammation. Dr Franzetti uses this process in combination with bone grafts, and soft tissue surgical procedures promoting hemostasis and bone growth.
A minimal amount of patient's own blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to extract high concentrations of platelets which contain protein growth factors. These proteins are essential to the healing process of soft tissue and bone. PRF aids patients to heal from dental procedures more quickly.
Piezo Surgery
Piezoelectric bone surgery is a process that utilizes piezoelectric vibrations in the application of cutting bone tissue. The process was patented by Fernando Bianchetti, Domenico Vercellotti, and Tomaso Vercellotti. It was first used clinically in 1988. It is indicated for use in oral, maxillofacial, cranial and spinal procedures;
By adjusting the ultrasonic frequency of the device, it is possible to cut hard tissue while leaving soft tissue untouched by the process. The ultrasonic frequency is modulated from 10, 30, and 60 cycles/s (Hz) to 29 kHz. The low frequency enables cutting of mineralized structures, not soft tissue. Power can be adjusted from 2.8to 16 W, with preset power settings for various types of bone density. The tip vibrates within a range of 60–200 μm, which allows clean cutting with precise incisions. In 2020 an article on the topic of piezoelectricity have named piezoelectric surgery as one of the most important applications of this concept, in addition to medical ultrasound imaging.
The clinical applications of PIEZOSURGERY® technology in dental and surgical procedures, highlight its precision, safety, and advantages over traditional cutting methods.
Dental piezo surgery, specifically using PIEZOSURGERY® technology, offers advanced benefits:
- Precision and Safety: Protects soft tissues, reducing risks like nerve or vessel injury during surgery.
- Improved Healing:Faster osseointegration and reduced inflammation compared to traditional rotary instruments.
- Patient Comfort:Minimizes swelling, pain, and psychological stress due to reduced noise and microvibrations.
- Versatility: Suitable for various procedures, including sinus lifts, extractions, bone grafting, and implant site preparation.
- Efficiency: Time-saving surgeries with reduced operative stress for clinicians.
- Clinical Outcomes:Lower rates of complications, such as membrane perforations, and higher implant survival rates.
- Evidence-Based:Supported by over 250 clinical and scientific studies, ensuring reliability and effectiveness.
PIEZOSURGERY® technology redefines bone surgery by combining precision, safety, and efficiency, making it a preferred choice for clinicians worldwide.
What are the Benefits of Surgical Guides for Implant Dentistry
Surgical Guides for dental implants are custom -made devices that help dental surgeons precisely position implants during surgery. They are created using digital planning software based on CBCT scans and data from intra oral digital data impressions. This ensures optimal implant placement for improved restorative outcomes.
These guides reduce surgery time, minimize trauma, and and promote faster healing.
Easy identification of angles and locations
Using a surgical guide can help the dentist identify areas or angles, which is essential for placing an implant in the jaw with precision. Many dentists have found these surgical guides to be beneficial and believe they streamline the implant procedure, enhance patient care and increase accuracy and cost-effectiveness. Using surgical guides can be especially helpful if the patient has a bad gag reflex or if the practitioner needs to access a difficult area. A surgical guide can help to make it easier to identify the angles of the mouth and the location of existing teeth, which can make it much easier to know where to position the implant.
Streamlined implant placement process
Surgical guides are helpful for many reasons, but one of the most significant is that they streamline the implant placement process. This can be especially helpful when a dentist is performing multiple implants in one session. Having a surgical guide can help make the process less time-consuming. This is helpful not only for the practitioner, but also for the patient as it can help minimize or shorten the length of procedure, and time in the chair.
Ensures accuracy and cost-effectiveness
Accuracy and cost-effectiveness are important aspects of any dental procedure. Using a surgical guide can help a dentist to ensure the implant is placed in the right location and works to increase cost-effectiveness. If the implant is placed in the wrong spot and there are complications, it could end up being very costly. The costs associated with an implant placed in the wrong place could include extra surgery procedures, fees and/or a longer treatment time.
Safeguards patient care and comfort
Surgical guides can help to safeguard patient care and comfort. This is one of the most important benefits of using this device. If the dentist uses a surgical guide, it can help to make sure the implant is placed in the right spot, which can make the healing process easier for the patient. This can help to make the patient’s experience with implant dentistry less stressful, more comfortable and more pleasant.
Convenient tool for both dentist and patient
Using a surgical guide can be a convenient tool for both the dentist and the patient. This is beneficial, especially when working with patients who may be nervous. Having the surgical guide can help the patient feel more comfortable and relaxed. This can make the experience much easier for the patient and can help to make sure that the procedure goes as smoothly as possible. Having a surgical guide can also make it easier for the dentist. This is because the dentist can just follow the guide and it’s easy to follow the path within the guide.
Reduce possibility of surgical complications
Using a surgical guide can help to reduce the possibility of surgical complications, which is important for all implant procedures. A surgical guide can help a dentist to position the implant in the correct spot. By using a surgical guide, it can help to reduce the likelihood of complications occurring.
Conclusion
There are a variety of surgical guides available for use in implant dentistry. Having the right guide can make the process easier and more successful. Surgical guides are devices that help the dentist position implants precisely during surgery. These devices are helpful for many reasons, including easy identification of angles and locations, streamlined placement process, increased accuracy and cost-effectiveness, safeguarding of patient care and comfort, and reduced possibility of complications.
