3D Printing

In recent years, modern dentistry has sought to incorporate new developing technologies into current treatment options as a means of improving treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction. At Lorton Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, one way we encourage better treatment results is through the use of 3D printing to create personalized surgical guides for dental implant treatments.

Why Use 3D Printing

Proper implant placement is critical to the longevity of dental implants. While it is possible to place implants without surgical guides, the traditional process of implant placement comes with higher risks, including implant failure.

To help ensure successful implant treatment, most experienced oral surgeons will use panoramic and CBCT imaging to create 3D digital models of the dentition and generate computerized surgical guides. However, there are certain drawbacks to this technology. As guides must be physically made in a lab, use of surgical guides can add time to the overall treatment. The cost of surgical guides also increases the cost of overall implant treatment, making it potentially prohibitive to certain patients.

3D printing presents patients with the opportunity to enjoy high quality implant placement without these traditional guide limitations. Similar to traditional surgical guides, 3D printed guides are customized based on advanced imaging and modelling. However, rather than having to wait for a lab to manufacture the final surgical guides, Lorton Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery has in-office 3D printers, allowing our team to generate precise replicas of your jaw in our office quickly and efficiently.

At Lorton Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, our goal is to ensure patients are in full control of their treatment from start to finish. With this precise replica, Dr. Patel is able to walk patients through their treatment and give them a realistic perspective of their prospective results.

To learn more about this treatment option, we encourage dental implant patients to call and schedule their implant consultation with our Lorton oral surgeon today. 

Innovative Equipment: 3D Cone Beam Imaging

Personalized to each patient’s specific teeth replacement needs and designed to improve the overall health and aesthetics of each unique dentition, dental implants and implant-supported treatments represent the forefront of innovative restorative care. Recent years have also seen the technology used to perform these advanced procedures become much more advanced. In particular, the development and use of three-dimensional cone beam technology has opened to door for strategic dental implant treatment planning and placement.

What is Cone Beam Imaging?
Better known as cone beam computed tomography or CBCT imaging, this technology uses cone-beam shaped x-rays to take highly-detailed, three dimensional images of the patient’s teeth and facial skeleton.  As the diagnostic imaging tool rotates around the patient’s head, dentists are provided with scans of every angle of the mouth.

The Benefit of Cone Beam Imaging
When it comes to planning for extensive procedures, it is imperative that dentists have an in-depth understanding of each part of your smile. In particular, advanced procedures such as dental implant placement and wisdom teeth extraction involve altering or working with the underlying jaw bone in order to successfully complete treatment. As a result, the high quality images produced by this innovative dental technology allow dentists and dental specialists to plan strategic treatments that successfully incorporate all parts of the smile for optimal results.

Another benefit of CBCT imaging is the ability to identify potential dental issues. From identifying areas of deteriorated bone structure as a result of tooth loss to determining the cause of jaw misalignment, the comprehensive nature of CBCT scans allows dental teams and patients to proactively address dental conditions before they have the opportunity to negatively impact the smile. CBCT imaging can also be used to diagnose problems that originate in the head and neck region, including temporomandibular joint dysfunction as well as sleep apnea.

Comprehensive Treatment Development in Lorton and Springfield
At Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, CBCT imaging is utilized to create personalized treatment plans for patients requiring extensive oral surgeries and other complex treatments.

Ranging from impacted wisdom teeth extraction to preliminary implant surgeries, this advanced dental technology allows our Northern Virginia oral surgeon to develop the most efficient and effective solutions for your unique health needs. For more information about the benefits of integrating CBCT scanning into your upcoming oral surgery, contact Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery today.