Dental Implant Surgery, CBCT Imaging, and Computer-Guided Surgery (SICAT)
Here at Tharp & Klaus Dental Clinic, one of our top priorities for our patients is that they feel comfortable and confident about the treatments they receive. This includes having creature comforts in our office, as well as the latest in implant-related technology. With these instruments in-office, we can accelerate and streamline the implant placement process. Implants are placed with a higher accuracy with the final restoration in mind. The entire process is done under one roof, providing for a seamless transition throughout each phase of the implant treatment.
The Advantages of Our In-Office Dental Implant Technology
In the past, dental implant treatments required a team effort to place implants: the implant surgeon and the implant restorative dentist. The dental implants were placed using two-dimensional x-rays and intraoral findings during the surgery. At times, this approach resulted in implants placed in less than ideal locations. But today, our practice has the assistance of advanced dental implant planning technology to accurately place the implant, so that it does not interfere with your other natural teeth or vital structures such as nerves and arteries. Our dentists can also evaluate the site ahead of time and determine if a bone graft is necessary. Our practice has invested in the following technologies, as they all work together to produce a more timely and efficient implant treatment experience.
What is CBCT Imaging?
CBCT stands for cone beam computed tomography. A CBCT is similar to CT scan in that the resulting image shows bone in three dimensions. The CBCT however is superior for dental implants due to a focused beam (cone beam) resulting in much less exposure to radiation. The scans are also much faster than standard CT scans. In just fourteen seconds, a three-dimensional image is captured with less exposure than a full series of standard dental x-rays. This CBCT image enables our doctors to virtually elevate the patient’s bony features, in order to distinguish which areas are safe to place implants, and which areas may need additional treatments before placement.
At Tharp & Klaus Dental Clinic, we use the Galileos cone beam system from Sirona, a trusted brand of advanced dental technology that has been assisting implant providers for years. It’s effectively eliminated any guesswork that would have been needed with two-dimensional x-rays. The Galileos system works alongside our CEREC CADCAM system to create fully guided dental implant surgeries. The end result is an implant with ideal placement for an ideal restoration. The benefits of CBCT extend beyond implant dentistry. The CBCT is the absolute best diagnostic tool we have for evaluating a patients complete oral health. The three-dimensional image allows us to better evaluate root canals, old crowns, and the extent of gum disease. We are able to see the patient’s airway, screening for obstructive sleep apnea. Utilizing the CBCT allows us to better diagnose dental issues BEFORE they become a problem.
Computer-Guided Surgery (SICAT)
The SICAT software, another branch of Sirona dental technology, works in tandem with our 3D cone beam scans and the CEREC machine to plan both the final restoration (crown or bridge) and the implant placement. Using this method, we know exactly what the restoration will look like before the implant is placed. The implant surgery is truly restoration driven. For full arch implant restorations such as our Prettau bridge or an overdenture, we can combine a scan of the prototype restoration with the CBCT and generate a surgical guide. Again, the surgery is restoration driven. This approach ensures implants are placed in the ideal location for the particular restoration. Predictable implant dentistry is not “one size fits all”. We rely heavily on these technologies to create a completely custom implant treatment experience for our patients.
CEREC CADCAM System
The CEREC CADCAM system allows our doctors to create three-dimensional models of our patient’s teeth. This process virtually eliminates the need for impression materials. We use the CEREC’s state of the art scanner to image both top and bottom jaws. Implant crowns are designed and milled in office, greatly reducing the time involved waiting for the lab. Each crown is custom stained and glazed so that natural aesthetics are matched precisely. For guided implant surgeries, the crown design is sent to the Galileos CBCT software and a surgical guide is made via SICAT.
Read more about this unique machine on our Same-Day Crowns with CEREC page.
See Our Technology in Jackson, MS
Come see why patients in Jackson are loving their dental implants and the journey it takes to get there, thanks to advanced technology from Drs. Tharp and Klaus. Schedule a consultation with our implant providers, and you can expect a thorough evaluation and informative one-on-one discussion about dental implants.
