Guided Implant Surgery
A computer-assisted surgical technique in which a custom stereolithographic or milled surgical guide transfers a virtually planned implant position to the patient's mouth during placement.
Full Definition
Guided implant surgery integrates CBCT imaging, digital implant planning software, and a patient-specific surgical guide to direct drill angulation, depth, and position during the implant procedure. Guides may be tooth-supported, mucosa-supported, or bone-supported, and may allow fully guided (including final drill and implant placement) or partially guided (pilot drill only) workflows. The technique improves positional accuracy compared with freehand placement and is essential for complex full-arch and aesthetic-zone cases. Editors should note that 'guided surgery' must not be shortened to 'guided' alone, as this can be mistaken for 'guided bone regeneration' in scanning contexts.
Usage
Usage note: Always write out the full term on first use; 'guided surgery' alone is ambiguous in implant dentistry documents where GBR is also discussed.
In Context
- "The surgical report confirmed that guided implant surgery was used with a fully guided protocol, eliminating the need for a flap in two of the four sites." — Surgical case report
- "The editor flagged 'guided surgery' and queried whether it referred to guided implant surgery or guided bone regeneration—the author confirmed the former." — Manuscript copy-editing