Efficient Implant Surgery and Its Advantages Using Digital Equipment at Yaksu Station Dental Clinic

Hello,

This is Dr. Kim Tae-young, the chief director of Barunyeong Dental Clinic, Yaksu Station Dental Clinic.^^

These days, when consulting about implants,

more and more people are asking about digital implants first,

unlike in the past.

"What exactly is a digital implant?"

"What process does it go through?"

"Is a temporary tooth possible on the same day?"

Interest in and questions about digital implants like these

seem to be increasing.

In the dental field as well,

a variety of digital devices such as

oral scanners, 3D CT, and digital guide systems are increasingly being used in treatment.

At Barunyeong Dental Clinic, Yaksu Station Dental Clinic,

we also use these digital systems in our care.

Today, I will take the time to explain step by step

what digital implants are,

what features they have,

and what stages they go through.

If you read until the end,

the parts you were curious about regarding digital implants

may become a little easier to understand.

What is a digital implant?

A digital implant

is a method that uses digital equipment and data throughout the implant treatment process.

Simply put,

it can be understood as a system in which digital tools are used together

in the diagnosis, planning, and placement processes needed for implant treatment.

To summarize the treatment flow:

information inside the mouth is captured as 3D data with an oral scanner,

this is combined with 3D CT data to create a virtual surgery plan in advance,

a surgical guide is then produced based on the planned data,

and using the guide, the implant is placed at the planned position.

Depending on the case,

same-day temporary tooth attachment may also be possible.

The case below is a full-mouth implant case in both the upper and lower jaws that was treated at our clinic.

Full-arch implant

When the patient first visited,

there were no molars functioning for chewing except for the right back molar.

Because the patient was taking antithrombotic medication,

the surgery time and number of procedures had to be reduced as much as possible.

We produced a guide using 3D CT and a scanner, then proceeded with surgery, and fortunately, because the patient’s alveolar bone was relatively strong, a temporary tooth could also be made immediately after surgery, allowing the patient to eat without inconvenience.

In cases like this, if digital equipment is used,

especially when a fixed temporary tooth is used for the lower teeth,

it can be made immediately after surgery, making eating possible.

Features of digital implants

This is one of the questions patients often ask when they visit our Yaksu Station Dental Clinic.

"What are the features of digital implants?"

Here are the representative features.

1. Data-based diagnosis and planning

Before surgery, digital implants perform a virtual simulation based on 3D data.

After comprehensively checking the position of the nerves, the amount and direction of bone, and the condition of the gums,

a plan is made for the implant placement position and angle.

2. Placement using a guide

When a digital guide is used,

it helps the implant be placed at the planned position.

Depending on the case, this method may affect the extent of incision,

but it does not apply the same way to every case,

and it may vary depending on the patient’s gum condition and bone condition.

3. Treatment flow based on digital data

When an oral scanner is used,

the information inside the mouth can be captured as 3D data without using impression material.

Since the captured data is transferred directly to the laboratory process,

the treatment flow continues based on digital data.

4. Reduced burden from using impression material

For patients who felt uncomfortable with the traditional impression material method

or had a strong gag reflex,

some may find the oral scanner method more comfortable.

However, this can differ depending on the individual’s oral condition and physical state.

Situations where digital implants are highly useful

Digital implants

do not have to be applied in every case.

However, they may be highly useful in the following situations,

and which method is appropriate should first be confirmed through a clinician’s diagnosis.

When there is discomfort with using impression material

Patients who have a gag reflex or found impression taking difficult

may consider a digital scanning method.

When precise placement planning is needed

In areas where aesthetic factors are important, such as the front teeth,

or in cases close to nerves,

digital systems are often used when precise planning is necessary.

When multiple implants need to be diagnosed

Digital data-based diagnosis may be especially useful in cases where several implants need to be considered together.

When treatment scheduling is limited

If you have limited time or visit from far away,

it may be helpful to discuss the treatment schedule with the medical staff.

These situations vary depending on the patient’s oral condition

and the clinician’s diagnostic results,

and the combination of treatment methods will also differ.

What stages does a digital implant go through?

Here is a summary of the general stages of a digital implant.

1️⃣ Precise diagnosis

Using 3D CT and an oral scanner,

the patient’s oral condition is converted into data.

2️⃣ Digital virtual planning

The position of the nerves, gum condition, and amount of bone are comprehensively reviewed,

and a plan is made for the implant placement position and direction.

3️⃣ Surgical guide fabrication

A guide is produced based on the virtual planning data.

4️⃣ Implant placement

Using the guide, the implant is placed at the planned position.

5️⃣ Temporary prosthesis review

Depending on the case, same-day temporary tooth attachment may be possible,

but the decision is made after a comprehensive review of bone condition and stability.

6️⃣ Final prosthesis and maintenance

After osseointegration has stabilized, the final prosthesis is made,

and maintenance is carried out together through regular checkups.

As someone who has worked in implant treatment for a long time,

there is one thing I have clearly come to realize.

Even for the same implant,

because each patient has different bone condition, gum condition, and bite conditions,

no single method can be the correct answer for everyone.

"Doctor, then is a digital implant right for me?"

I would say that it is best to determine through diagnosis

which method is most suitable for the patient’s oral condition.

Using equipment to make diagnosis and surgery planning smoother does not mean that treatment cannot be performed without digital equipment.

Because each person has different bone quantity and quality,

gum condition, tooth alignment, and bite conditions,

rather than proceeding with treatment using a fixed manual or only a specific device,

I believe it is important to carefully examine each patient’s condition

and find the most suitable direction together.

At Barunyeong Dental Clinic, Yaksu Station Dental Clinic,

we use digital systems to pursue highly efficient treatment, but we do not insist on that method unconditionally.

In the end, I believe the result of an implant depends not on which device is used,

but on how it is diagnosed and how it is planned.

Today, I explained digital implants 중심으로

the parts patients often ask about.

Because implant treatment can differ in diagnosis and treatment direction from case to case,

I recommend confirming which method is suitable for your own dental condition through a thorough consultation.

This has been Barunyeong Dental Clinic, Yaksu Station Dental Clinic.^^

I believe that proper treatment creates proper results.

My direction in treatment is to create a dental clinic where everyone who visits with concern

can return home feeling a little more at ease

and with peace of mind.

• Barunyeong Dental Clinic

This post was written for the purpose of providing medical information

in compliance with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Service Act.