The development of osseointegration has led to a significant increase in the use of dental implants in recent years. However, complications during implantation often arise due to factors such as inaccurate diagnosis, insufficient treatment planning, suboptimal surgical techniques, and improper implant placement. These issues can be mitigated by employing surgical guides to ensure precise implant positioning. While conventional surgical guides continue to be utilized, their clinical outcomes can be unpredictable. Even with correct implant placement, the location and alignment may not meet the optimal requirements for prosthodontic restoration. Achieving high accuracy in both planning and execution is crucial to ensure a high success rate and avoid iatrogenic complications. This level of precision can be attained through the use of computed tomography (CT), 3D implant planning software, image-guided template fabrication techniques, and computer-aided surgery. This article provides an in-depth evaluation of conventional surgical guide systems that rely on radiographic techniques, as well as newer, computer-generated surgical guides.
Keywords: Dental implants, Surgical templates, Surgical procedure, Stent
