Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth by placing a titanium implant into the jawbone to support a replacement tooth.
At TLC Dentists, implant placement can be planned using digital scanning and CEREC-guided technology, allowing the implant position to be planned with high accuracy.
In many cases this digital planning allows treatment to be performed using a minimally invasive approach sometimes referred to as keyhole implant placement, where the implant is guided precisely into position through a surgical guide.
Guided implant placement uses digital imaging and computer-guided planning to determine the ideal position of a dental implant.
Using specialised software, the dentist can visualise the implant position relative to bone, surrounding teeth, and the final restoration.
A digital surgical guide can then assist during the procedure. When appropriate, this approach may allow the implant to be placed using keyhole implant surgery, a technique designed to minimise surgical disruption.
How Digital Implant Planning Works
1. Digital scans and imaging capture the patient’s oral anatomy.
2. Implant placement is planned using specialised software.
3. A custom surgical guide is produced.
4. The implant is placed according to the planned position.
This digital workflow allows highly accurate implant positioning. In suitable cases, the guided approach may enable keyhole implant placement, where the implant is inserted through a small guide opening rather than a larger surgical incision.
Guided implant surgery offers several advantages.
• precise implant positioning
• improved treatment planning
• predictable restoration placement
• integration with digital crown design
• improved visualisation before surgery
• potential for minimally invasive keyhole implant surgery
Guided implant placement is part of the broader digital dentistry workflows used at
TLC Dentists.
Because the clinic routinely uses digital scanning, CAD-CAM restorations and computer-guided planning, implant treatments can be integrated with digitally designed crowns and restorations.
This digital workflow also supports advanced techniques such as keyhole implant placement, where digital planning helps guide the implant into the correct position with minimal surgical intervention.
The digital dentistry focus of the clinic reflects the professional expertise of
Dr Eugene Lee, who teaches modern digital dental workflows internationally.
What is keyhole implant surgery?
Keyhole implant surgery is a minimally invasive implant placement technique where the implant is inserted through a small surgical guide opening rather than a larger incision. Digital planning helps guide the implant into the correct position.
What are guided dental implants?
Guided dental implants use digital imaging and computer planning to determine the precise position of an implant before surgery, improving accuracy and predictability.
Are guided implants more precise?
Digital implant planning allows the dentist to visualise bone and surrounding structures before surgery, which can help improve implant positioning.
