Surgical Stent for Dental Implants: Is this Necessary?

A surgical stent gives the surgeon the information about the planned treatment, things like the size, shape and position of the teeth that are going to be placed on the implant(s). There are a lot of surgeons that do not use a surgical stent and still do a good job, but by fabricating a stent, the prosthodontist is making sure that he has given the surgeon all the information that he can to help him place the implant in the ideal position. Sometimes the adjacent teeth can serve as a guide when only one implant is being placed, but the greater the number of implants planned, the greater the surgical stent is recommended. A CT scan is an excellent way to obtain as much information about the anatomy and the volume and morphology of the bone before the surgery is planned. I hope this helps and good luck with the surgery. Carlos A. Boudet, DDS, DICOI

I have a few statements to your question. First, alot of surgeons do not use a stint. If you know the anatomy and tooth positions you could get by without one. Secondly, The fee you are quoted for the stint is probably a lab fabricated stint which does not take account for the anatomy of your mouth. Finally, there are stints that utilize the CT anatomy and correct tooth position, but it is far more expensive for this type of stint.I personally use a CT fabricated stint for all my cases. There are situations when the patient is draped that you loose orientation for the correct position.There are also situations where correct implant placement is critical by either anatomy or tooth positioning and maximum aesthetics. It makes me more prepared for each case to know the anatomy before the surgery. That being said, others do not wish to treat like this at this time, but with medical/legal concerns, I would say in the future this is the way things will go. good luck Dr. Edward Kusek

I paid $259 for the stent and when placing the implant the OS placed it in my mouth for maybe 3 seconds. Is this typical? Seems expensive for 3 seconds of use

In preparation for upper and lower dentures with 2 implants on the lowers I was quoted a price of $1000.00,seems high from what I've read. comments please

for 2 implants plus upper and lower dentures....that's very reasonable.....very reasonable. I'm having 2 implants placed for a 3 unit bridge and it's costing me over 4500......I understand we all want fair market value, but in your case....a full set of dentures for the rest of your life with minor adjustments from time to time is great value indeed

I’m missing complete upper and working with my dentist became pretty familiar with the procedure have done my CT scan along with panoramic xeray as I understood the CT scan helps the surgeons to locate the most dense in the jawbone and in case if it is closer to the sinus they can use the right angles to avoid further complications by implants and that is why after these two steps my dentist is waiting for the stent from the lab to properly go for test of the procedure.

Im a bit confused......So is it betterbtomhave a stint casting vs a CT Scan of the areas involved for multi-full implants, and is $375 per each stint on the high side when you are having 2/ upper and lower for implants/procedure done simultaneously ($375 x 2= $750 seems very high, shouldnt asome type of a quantity discount offerred by the lab n dentist requesting the work/2-stint procedure? If having a total of 4 implants n a partial bridge (upper and lower) completed over a period of apprx. 2 years of work wouldnt it be cheaper n better to have a full mouth CT Scan vs a Stint impression done??? How do some of these One Stop Shop places/practices adverrtised on TV offer a Quick 1-2 day start to finish job/service for Dental Implants, whereas my Dentist and Oral Surgeon who work independently/practice will take i-12 months per 1-2 implants with posts and crown completion???