Dental implants are done at Scotia Square Dentistry using 3-D digital imaging and software that allows Dr. Heit to treatment plan the exact placement of your implant virtually prior to the actual procedure.

First, a 3-D scan using the low radiation iCAT imaging system is done with a scanning appliance in your mouth.

Then, the data is converted to DICOM format to be used in the software that Dr. Heit uses to treatment plan the specifics of your case-ie. the size and type of implant, whether you will need a bone graft or sinus tent.  The beauty of having a 3-D representation of you and your scanning appliance is that Dr. Heit can place the implant in a position that is ideal with respect to the amount and quality of bone you have as well as for the restorative process that requires the implant to be loaded down its long axis in your ideal bite position and relative to other teeth and structures.  The image can be rotated 360 degrees to make sure the implant placement is perfect.

Then a stent is made and used in the procedure making the chair time faster and less stressful for you.  The surgical stent is accurate to 0.1mm of the treatment plan determined before the procedure.  Not only is the procedure easier (thus faster) but it is also less invasive.

For the patient, it means an impression, a scan then the placement procedure.

Implants are one of the most statistically successful proceures in dentistry with a success rate of 96% for life in a healthy individual.