Use of collapsible surgical templates in full dentures with immediate loading

BACKGROUND: Complete prosthetics employs the use of collapsible navigable surgical templates, which can effectively mitigate the complications associated with dental implantation at each stage of the process [1–3]. The correct positioning of the implant is of paramount importance, as it directly influences the success of subsequent prosthetics. This is because the planning of the surgical template is conducted simultaneously, taking into account the subsequent prosthetic construction [4–6].

AIM: The study aimed to compare the technique of using collapsible surgical templates versus simple ones in complete dentures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The main group consisted of 15 patients, aged 52–70 years, with four women and 11 men. Half of the patients exhibited marked atrophy of the maxilla, while the other half exhibited atrophy of the mandible. All patients underwent the technique of using collapsible surgical templates in full dentures with immediate loading. The control group consisted of 15 patients aged 50–67 years, 6 men and 9 women. They underwent surgery with the use of a conventional surgical navigation template and in whom fixation of the prosthetic structure was performed by the classical method.

RESULTS: In the primary group, the initial two components of the collapsible template are fixed to the teeth. The template structures are connected to each other with pins, which eliminates micro-vibrations of the initial component. The second template element is then removed. Following the removal of the teeth, the third component of the surgical template is fixed to the pins of the initial component. Following the placement of dental implants, the temporary prosthetic construction is also fixed using a special template.

The control group underwent standard surgical technique with a simple surgical template.

In the main group, the accuracy of implant positioning, reduction of the risk of complications, and reduction of the operation time were observed. One-stage fixation of the temporary prosthetic structure did not cause aesthetic and functional inconvenience to the patients. In the control group, errors in implant placement were observed in 34% of cases, and intraoperative complications related to neuralgia developed.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of advanced technology enhances the effectiveness of dental implantation.