A DREAM COME TRUE: SURGERY AND PROSTHESIS ON COMPUTER-GUIDED IMPLANTS

La Clínica Sicilia, one of the first centres in Europe to apply the SAFE® protocol, the 3D evaluation technology that makes it possible for implant surgery to take place virtually and for the provisional fixed prosthesis to be prepared prior to operating.

How does it work?

- During the first stage, Clinica Sicilia's medical team performs a detailed medical diagnosis. Next, in collaboration with your restorative dentist or prosthodontist, the ideal type of prosthesis is designed, and a “prototype” prosthesis is created, which will be scanned along with the patient.

Then, in the digital radiology unit of Clínica Sicilia, the CAT analysis is performed with the i-Cat digital scanner . The scan takes place with the “prototype” prosthesis placed in the patient’s mouth.

The CAT analysis is instantly sent by protected e-mail to Dental Implant & Biomaterials (Madrid) for processing with the SIMPLANT® software, generating a three-dimensional cranial reconstruction, where subsequently, in interconsultation, the periodontist and the restorative dentist analyse the reconstruction and study the initial position of the teeth, as well as the amount and quality of the bone available for the implants.

Once the ideal position and the appropriate angle have been selected, virtual surgery is performed on the computer. The implants are put in place and their mechanical stability studied.

The outcome of the above process is sent to Materialise's European Central Laboratory (ECL) in Brussels. The laboratory manufactures the stereolitographic models and surgical template (SAFE® TEMPLATE) that will enable the implants to be put in place through high-precision, minimally-invasive surgery.

- The next stage is carried out at Clínica Sicilia's Immediate Prosthesis Unit, where the SAFE® template is used as a guide to place the implants in the stereolithographic models of the jaw. The prosthodontist and the laboratory work together to produce an immediate implant-supported provisional prosthesis.

- Finally, in the Computer-Guided Surgery Unit of Clínica Sicilia, the implants will be put in place. Aided by latest-generation microscopes and using the SAFE® template, the surgeon puts the implants in place and then adapts the final high-precision implant-supported provisional prosthesis.

After the operation, the patient has permanent teeth and can smile with confidence.
The whole process takes just a few hours!!

What are the benefits?

Greater precision, less time in surgery, improved post-operative period, the possibility of performing surgery without flaps (or incisions and sutures) and the preparation of a high-precision provisional fixed prosthesis that can be adapted and put in place during the operation.