Simplant (CAT Scan)

Traditional dental x-rays most often do not provide sufficient information on the shape and amount of bone to predict the prosthetic outcome of implant treatment. By using a barium-coated template, which depicts final prosthetic outcome, a precise determination of the final restoration can be determined. (published references) This allows the restorative dentist to have meaningful prosthetic input during all phases of treatment. In preparation for the CAT Scan x-ray, a plastic appliance is fabricated. The patient wears this appliance during the CAT Scan. This allows prosthetic information to be incorporated on the CAT Scan. Once the medical radiologist processes the scan, it is sent to the requesting doctor for interpretation and planning. The study can be analyzed on a computer using software program called Simplant. Many restorative doctors have incorporated this technology in their office. The jawbone can be viewed three dimensionally. It becomes easy to determine the height, width and density of the bone, and the location of the mandibular nerve and maxillary sinus. Surgical simulations can be done on the computer, so the exact size and ideal location for the implant is known. In essence, your treatment is completed on simulator pre-surgically. Recent computer technology breakthroughs enable a surgical guide to be electronically constructed to guide implant placement during surgery.