28
Nov
Guided Dental Implant Surgery: How It Improves Accuracy and Comfort
Reviewed by Dr. Ava Khodakhast
|
Reading time: four minutes
Today, guided implant technology allows your dentist to plan every detail of your procedure—down to the millimeter—before surgery even begins.
At Argyle Family Dental & Prosthodontics in Centennial, CO, Dr. Ava Khodakhast uses this advanced approach to place implants with unmatched accuracy and comfort, giving patients a safer, smoother experience and longer-lasting results.
Table of Contents
What Is Guided Dental Implant Surgery?
Guided implant surgery is a digitally planned technique that uses 3D imaging (CBCT scans) and computer software to create a precise surgical plan.
Before the procedure, your entire jaw is mapped digitally to determine the ideal implant position, depth, and angle. A custom 3D-printed guide is then fabricated to fit comfortably over your teeth or gums, directing the implant exactly where it should go.
This process removes the guesswork from traditional surgery and allows for restoratively driven placement, meaning each implant is positioned to perfectly support the final crown, bridge, or denture.
Guided Implant Surgery vs. Traditional Implant Surgery
While both techniques aim to restore missing teeth, guided implant surgery offers a more predictable and precise approach. The comparison below highlights how digital planning and technology set it apart from conventional freehand methods.
| Feature | Guided Implant Surgery | Traditional Surgery |
| Planning | Digital 3D mapping and software-guided | Manual measurement and visual estimation |
| Precision | Millimeter-level accuracy | Dependent on manual skill |
| Comfort | Smaller incisions, faster recovery | Larger incisions, longer healing time |
| Safety | Avoids nerves and sinuses with pre-planning | Higher risk of misalignment |
| Outcome Predictability | Restoratively driven placement ensures ideal crown fit | May require adjustments after healing |
How the Process Works
Here’s what to expect when you choose guided dental implant surgery at Argyle Family Dental:
- Digital planning and 3D Imaging: Your jaw and teeth are scanned to create a detailed 3D model. Dr. Khodakhast uses this model to plan the ideal implant position while protecting vital structures such as nerves and sinuses.
- Fabrication of the surgical guide: Using your digital plan, a custom surgical guide is designed and 3D-printed to fit your mouth. This guide ensures the implant is placed at the precise angle and depth chosen during planning.
- Comfortable implant placement: On the day of surgery, the guide is placed over your gums, allowing Dr. Khodakhast to insert the implant through small, accurate openings.
- Healing and final restoration: The implant bonds with your jawbone over several months through a process called osseointegration. Once stable, your custom crown, bridge, or full-arch prosthesis is securely attached for a natural look and feel.
Benefits of Guided Implant Surgery
Guided implant surgery offers clear advantages compared to traditional freehand techniques:
- Higher precision and safety: Digital mapping reduces surgical risks and ensures optimal bone support for the implant.
- Minimally invasive approach: Smaller incisions mean less swelling, bleeding, and post-operative discomfort.
- Shorter surgery time: The entire procedure is pre-planned, allowing for faster and more predictable appointments.
- Faster healing: Because the tissue is handled more gently, recovery is typically quicker and easier.
- Improved aesthetics and function: Implants are aligned with your natural bite and smile for seamless results.
- Long-term success: Proper placement reduces the risk of complications or implant failure later on.
Why Patients Choose Argyle Family Dental
Guided implant surgery is performed by Dr. Ava Khodakhast, a board-certified prosthodontist with more than 25 years of experience. She has completed advanced training focused on restoring both function and esthetics.
We use authentic, high-quality implant systems for predictable, long-term results. Each implant is placed using restoratively driven design principles to ensure that your final restoration feels comfortable, functions naturally, and enhances your smile’s appearance.
Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation in Centennial, CO
Guided dental implant surgery combines advanced technology with expert prosthodontic care to deliver lasting, natural results.
To book an appointment for a dental implant consultation at our dental office in Centennial, CO, call (303) 770-2254 or request an appointment online.
FAQ
What makes guided implant surgery more accurate?
Guided implant surgery relies on advanced 3D imaging and software planning to guide each implant’s placement. This ensures precise alignment with your jaw bone and neighboring teeth, resulting in safer and more predictable outcomes for long-term oral health.
Is guided implant surgery painful?
Most patients are surprised at how comfortable the process is. Because the procedure is minimally invasive and performed with sedation, discomfort is minimal during and after surgery. With proper dental care and follow-up, you can expect a smooth and stress-free experience.
Does guided surgery reduce the risk of implant failure?
Accurate placement and digital planning minimize risks such as nerve interference, bone loss, or infection. Because implants are positioned precisely within healthy bone, they are less likely to develop complications like periodontal disease around the implant site.
Can guided implant surgery be used for All-on-4® or All-on-X implants?
Guided implant technology is especially beneficial for full-arch procedures. It ensures that each implant is positioned to evenly distribute bite pressure and support the final prosthesis as part of a personalized treatment plan designed for your comfort and long-term success.
Share this Article
Dr. Ava Khodakhast
Immerse yourself in the world of exquisite dental artistry crafted by Dr. Ava Khodakhast, a
distinguished prosthodontist whose journey is a testament to the fusion of science and art in
dentistry. With an unwavering commitment to elevating lives through her specialized expertise, Dr.
Khodakhast has redefined the landscape of prosthodontics, captivating hearts with her transformative
work.
Embarking on her odyssey in 2000 as a Doctor of Dental Surgery, Dr. Khodakhast's passion for her
craft led her to traverse continents for knowledge. She pursued her American DDS at the esteemed
University of Missouri, Kansas
City, setting the foundation for a remarkable career. Yet, her thirst
for mastery pushed her to delve deeper. Venturing into the realm of complexity, she dedicated three
intensive years at the Medical College of Georgia, earning a master's in Oral
Biology and seamlessly
entwining it with a Residency in Prosthodontics.
Prosthodontics is the symphony of precision and creativity, where every note is a smile transformed.
Dr. Khodakhast is a virtuoso in this art, specializing in intricate cosmetic makeovers, implant
procedures, and comprehensive mouth rehabilitation. Recognized as a "Diplomate" by
the American Board of
Prosthodontics and as a "Fellow" by the American College of Prosthodontists, she soars
among the select few who define excellence in this arena. Her certification as a prosthodontist is a
testament to her rigorous education and training, making her a beacon of expertise for dental and
maxillofacial reconstruction and rehabilitation. Dentists themselves entrust their patients to her
care, a testament to her unparalleled mastery.
A luminary in academia, Dr. Khodakhast served as the assistant director of Advanced Education in
General Dentistry at the University
of Missouri in Kansas City. She also worked in private practice
at UMKC, applying the techniques and skills she taught in complicated, aesthetic case settings.
During her junior year of college, she graced India with her charitable work, a touch of humanity
that infuses her artistry with compassion.
Emanating from the core of her being is a dedication to her patient's well-being. You can rely on
her to provide unparalleled care rooted in scientific precision and artistic commitment.