Use of diagnostic and surgical stent: a simplified approach for implant placement

Dental implantology has emerged as a practical alternative to traditional prosthodontics. Since the beginning, placement of implant in the bone to achieve a prosthetic solution that fulfils biologic, aesthetic and biomechanical requirements has been a challenge. In the past, implant site and inclination were dictated by residual bone quality. The desire for predictable prosthesis led to the development of prosthetically guided implantology. This concept establishes the correct implant position during the diagnostic stage according to planned definitive restoration. In prosthetically guided implantology where ideal placement of implant is determined by the definitive restoration, use of radiographic and surgical stent in conjunction with dental CT scan can play an important role. A stent is an appliance used for radiographic evaluation during treatment planning for implant placement and during surgical procedures to locate optimal implant placement site. The stent with dental CT scan enables the dental team to identify specific sites of prospective implant surgery and hence determines the optimal position and angulation of implant relative to occlusal load. Aided by stent the surgeon can avoid undesirable implant site preparation and minimize unnecessary osteotomy, resulting in favorable design of prosthesis, reduced surgical trauma, reduced surgical time and increased patient comfort. This case report is an insight into the method of fabrication of simple and cost effective stent for implant placement and its advantages over the other techniques of stent fabrication.