Quick Tip: Why utilizing the entire implant team maximizes success

Even though it’s a tried and true protocol, all too often restorative dentists skip the implant triad-the surgeon, the restoring doctor and the technician-when it comes to case planning.

“When the surgeon, restoring doctor and technician work together, surprises – especially for the patient at the delivery appointment – are eliminated,” said Shaun Keating, CDT and owner of Keating Dental Arts in Irvine, Calif.

“The most challenging aspect of restoring dental implants is dealing with the location and angulation of the implant body,” Dr. Paul Hertz, a New York-based dentist, observed. “Often, cases are returned from the surgeon with implants uncentered, too close to each other or to adjacent teeth, and with the inability to use the manufacturers’ stock abutments. Moreover, even when a stent is provided, it is often questionable whether it was actually used.”

“In the end, the restorative dentist is the one who must take responsibility for sizing, emergence profile, etc,” Dr. Hertz said. “Certainly, this can be achieved by extremely talented dentists and dental laboratory teams. However, in reality, many of us have more average skills; this is where an implant tool, such as the Delineator (exclusively from Keating Dental Arts) comes in.”

Inspired by the word “delineate,” which means “to map out,” Keating Dental Arts’ exclusive 4-in-1 implant tool, the Delineator, is a radiographic guide, surgical stent, provisional restoration and implant locator. This practical tool allows the general dentist to gain much more control of the surgical phase of implant dentistry.

“By using the Delineator, the restoring dentist can exactly direct the surgeon as to the most ideal position for implant placement,” Dr. Hertz concluded. “Used as a stent, the Delineator provides superior guidance and practicality to that of most implant guides. Given adequate bone, the surgeon can precisely place the implant using the metal sleeve/drill guide, which is located in the exact center of the proposed implant crowns, allowing for the most ideal emergence profile and tooth sizing.”