CT Planning Links

f a q

How do I get started?

Getting started is easy. If you would like to clarify the process as it relates to your particular case. Give us a call and we will walk you, step-by-step, through the protocol. The first step, regardless of what software we will be using to plan your case, you need to determine the final restorative position of the teeth to be supported by the implants. This can be done with a diagnostic waxup, denture tooth setup or an intra oral mock-up. Our dental laboratory assists with this and all steps of the process.

<strong>What is the best software for my practice?</strong>

There are benefits and draw backs to each software. Most software allows you to plan a case for any type of implant system while others (Nobelguide) restrict use to Nobel implants. Most software systems create tooth or mucosa supported surgical guides while only one (Simplant) allows the guide to be placed directly on the bone. Price is another consideration, a few systems (iDent and BlueskyPlan) produce surgical guides which are 20- 40% less expensive than other systems. The benefit of our planning service is that you can switch between systems selecting the best choice for each clinical case and with iDent and Blue Sky have the Surgical Guide made here at Roe which is less expensive and faster than Simplant and Nobel.

Do I need to purchase software?

No, with our planning service you can chose which system is ideally suited for each case without extensive training and without having to purchase the software.

Do I need to invest in a new implant system?

No. Surgical guidance can be provided for any case regardless of which implant system you use. There are slight differences between the softwares but the results are the same…..Success!

How long has ROE been virtually planning cases?

We have been helping doctors achieve success with CBCT designed surgical guides since 2006. In that time we have provided CBCT based surgical guidance for over 2000 cases!

Do I need special training to plan a case?

We advocate that a dentist become trained in this software and suggest that doctors purchase the software themselves. This is the ideal approach. However, with our service you can plan a case without any training. We preplan the case according to your instructions and review it with you online (gotomeeting.com) for you to modify and adjust the surgical plan as you see fit according to the information provided from the DICOM images of the scan. We simply help you manipulate the software, give you a restorative perspective related to optimum prosthetic success and you make the clinical decisions accordingly.

What is the most challenging part of CT planning?

We have found the most challenging part in this process is to getting the patient scanned accurately according to the software system you would like to use, especially if the patient is having their scan captured at a medical imaging center. Often, third-party imaging centers provide information to view the data and neglect to forward the actual DICOM slices needed to create the surgical guide from the date. In order to facilitate an accurate scan the first time, we provide, free of charge, our services in working with the radiology technician. We suggest the technician call us a few days before the patient is scheduled and while the patient is at their facility to ensure the scan is taken correctly the first time, and that the data is stored and forwarded to us correctly via the internet or CD. We believe this is a very valuable service unique to ROE Dental Laboratory.

How do I know if my patient is a candidate for CT planning?

Implants have and continue to be placed well without the benefit of virtual surgery and guidance. That being said, all patients can be a candidate for CBCT (unless medical conditions prevent). We believe every case can be a better case with a CBCT scan and surgical guidance; however, the greater the clinical challenges the greater the benefit of this technology. We believe that sometime in the near future CBCT scans will be standard of care.

Must I always use a radiographic scan appliance?

Scan appliances allow the future tooth position to be visible in the CBCT imaging software, most software requires the use of a scan appliance in order to create a surgical template. Others such as Simplant do not require the use of a scan appliance for simple single unit cases or cases with immediate extractions in which the existing tooth or adjacent teeth can provide the guidance

Which systems control depth?

Depth control can be achieve in many ways, by marking the drills, using drill stops (Verban Drill Stops) or using drills specifically designed for navigation (3I Navigator and Nobel Guide). We would be happy to discuss options for depth control with the implant systems you use. Give us a call.

What is a spoon system and when is it used?

Spoons are tools that are used with a single guide and sequentially placed into master tubes in the guide for each drill size used. The guide can be affixed to the arch using bone screws placed through the guide. This provides stability, accuracy and allows the surgeon to have both hands free during surgery to use the spoon system. iDENT, NobelGuide and 3i Navigator offer spoons as part of their system. Spoon systems can be used on any case.