Surgical Guide Stents Explained

In this Shatkin F.I.R.S.T. Monday Morning Minute, Dr. Todd Shatkin discusses the benefits and importance of using Shatkin F.I.R.S.T. Surgical Guide Stents. Since 2003, these stents have been used to ensure precision in implant placement, from denture stabilization to single teeth and full-mouth reconstructions like roundhouse bridges. Dr. Shatkin emphasizes the importance of these guides, which help position implants accurately by merging cone beam CT scans with digital impressions or stone models to create a 3D model for surgical planning.

Dr. Shatkin walks through the evolution of surgical guides, starting with manual methods in 2003 and advancing to the modern CT-guided stents of today. These stents are custom-made using 3D models, allowing for precise implant placement, even in difficult cases with thin ridges. Once fabricated, they are disinfected, packaged, and ready for use in the patient’s mouth.

Dr. Shatkin also demonstrates the pilot drill guides in silver, gold, and blue, which correspond to different implant sizes and pilot drills, ensuring accuracy during surgery. He highlights the growing trend of using 3D surgical guides as a standard of care for dental implants, particularly for medico-legal reasons, advising dentists to consider adopting them to avoid future legal challenges.

In addition, Dr. Shatkin recommends the Generate 3D cone beam CT machine for those who do not yet have a CT scanner, praising its affordability and reliability.