Bone-supported

The bone-supported technique requires the gums to be cut and the mucosa raised to expose the bone.

Your dentist will refer you for a CT scan at a dedicated scan centre where they will take scans of your jaw(s). Sometimes your dentist will provide you with a prosthesis to wear in your mouth at the time of the scan but this is not required.

Using the computer aided design software, your dentist will then plan the exact placement of the implants in a virtual environment. Once this is complete, the drill guide is fabricated to fit your jawbone exactly with drill holes to fit the planned implants.

In surgery, your dentist will make incisions in your gums and expose enough bone to place the drill guide such that it is secure. He or she will then drill the holes for the implants through the holes in the guide, ensuring accurate placement of the implants, and check this positioning. Once the holes are drilled, the guide is removed and the implants are placed. The abutments (connection between the implant and the crown or bridge) are attached to the implant, and the gum is replaced. The crowns or bridges placed on top of these abutments.