Surgical templates for function and esthetics in dental implants

The functional and esthetic importance of surgical templates associated with dental implants has been discussed. The design of the stent and proposed location of the fixtures basically determine the dentist's "wish list." Although ideal placement of an implant fixture often is achieved, it can be aided through use of a surgical template. Particularly useful in larger partially edentulous cases as described above, the ideal template is made of hard acrylic with holes slightly larger than the 3.0 mm drill often used during surgery. Construction of a template requires the dentist and surgeon to think about the case, create a wax-up, and decide on location before constructing the appliance. This process will benefit all, particularly the patient, and provide a foundation for a long-lasting prosthetic result.