Precise Site Location for Implants Using CT Scans: A Technical Note

Information gained by preoperative imaging techniques must be accurately related to the surgical site. The inability to do this severely diminishes the benefit of the diagnostic imaging. The CT scan is capable of providing considerable information regarding the jaws. The use of radiopaque markers to identify preselected points on the image is readily done by placing markers in the wax registration rims that are worn during the scan. The position of these markers is transferred to the mouth with a surgical template, facilitating surgery and reducing the incidence of anatomic accidents caused by lack of orientation. Keywords: CT scan, esthetics, osseointegrated implants, surgical templates