Want to learn more about surgical guide planning?
Discover how digital workflows can improve your implant success rates.
Table of Contents
You've decided to use a surgical guide for your next implant case. Maybe a colleague recommended it, maybe you're tired of the stress of freehand placement, or maybe your patient's anatomy demands it. Whatever brought you here — the actual ordering process is simpler than you think.
A 3D-printed template that fits over the patient's teeth or tissue and directs drill placement during implant surgery. It transfers the digital treatment plan into precise physical drill positions.
Here's exactly what happens from the moment you decide to order until the guide is in your hands, ready for surgery.
Step 1: Gather Your Patient Files (5 Minutes)
You need two things. That's it.
CBCT scan (DICOM format). This is the 3D cone beam scan of your patient's jaw. Every modern CBCT unit exports DICOM files — you'll typically find them on a USB drive, CD, or in your imaging software's export menu. If you're not sure how to export, your CBCT manufacturer's support line can walk you through it in under 5 minutes.
Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine — the universal file format for medical imaging. CBCT scanners produce DICOM files that are imported into planning software for 3D reconstruction.
A 3D imaging technique that captures the jaw, teeth, and bone structure in a single rotational scan. It produces DICOM files used for implant planning, nerve mapping, and surgical guide design.
Intraoral scan or impression scan (STL format). If you have an intraoral scanner (iTero, 3Shape TRIOS, Medit, Primescan), export the STL file of the arch where you're placing the implant. If you don't have a scanner, a desktop-scanned stone model works just as well.
A 3D surface mesh file format used in dental CAD/CAM. Intraoral scanners produce STL files that capture tooth and gingival surfaces for surgical guide fitting.
That's the complete file requirement. No special software, no proprietary formats, no planning on your end.
| What You Need | Format | How to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| CBCT scan | DICOM (.dcm) | Export from your CBCT software |
| Intraoral scan | STL or PLY | Export from your scanner software |
| Wax-up scan (optional) | STL | If prosthetically driven placement is needed |
What if you don't have an intraoral scanner? You can take a PVS impression, pour a stone model, and have it scanned at any dental lab with a desktop scanner. Many labs offer this for free or for a nominal fee ($10–20).
Step 2: Upload and Specify Your Case (5 Minutes)
Go to app.surgicalguide.pro and create an account (takes 30 seconds — name, email, password).
Upload your DICOM and STL files. Then fill in the case details:
- Which tooth/teeth are you replacing? (e.g., #19, or #3 and #4)
- What implant system are you using? (e.g., Straumann BLT, Nobel Active, Osstem TS III)
- Implant dimensions you're considering (e.g., 4.1 × 10mm)
- Any special requests (e.g., "avoid mental foramen," "angled abutment on #19," "bone reduction needed")
Don't worry about making perfect clinical decisions at this stage. The designer will evaluate your bone volume, proximity to vital structures, and prosthetic requirements — and may suggest adjustments. You're not locked into anything.
Not sure which implant size to choose? Upload your CBCT and we'll recommend options →
Step 3: Receive Your Digital Plan (2–3 Business Days)
This is where the value of outsourcing becomes obvious. Within 2–3 business days, you receive a complete digital implant plan including:
- 3D visualization of the implant in the jawbone with surrounding anatomy
- Cross-sectional views at the implant site showing bone width, height, and proximity to nerves/sinuses
- Measurements — implant depth, angulation, distance to adjacent teeth, buccal bone thickness
- Guide preview — how the surgical guide will sit on the teeth
You review this in your web browser. No software to install. Rotate the 3D model, zoom into cross-sections, check every detail.
What if you want changes? Just tell us. "Move the implant 1mm distally," "increase the angle by 5 degrees," "switch to a 4.8mm diameter." Unlimited revisions are included in the price. Most cases finalize in 1–2 rounds.
What if you decide not to proceed? No charge. "Design First, Pay Later" means you see the complete plan before any payment. If the anatomy isn't suitable, if the patient cancels, or if you simply change your mind — you owe nothing.
Step 4: Approve and Get Your Guide (1–2 Days After Approval)
Once you approve the final design, two things happen:
Option A: You print in-house. We send you a print-ready STL file optimized for your specific 3D printer (Formlabs, SprintRay, Asiga, or any SLA/DLP printer using biocompatible surgical guide resin). Print it, post-cure it, sterilize it, and you're ready for surgery.
Option B: Your lab prints it. Forward the STL to your dental lab and they handle the printing. Many labs charge $30–50 for printing a surgical guide from a provided STL.
Either way, the guide arrives or prints within 1–2 days after approval. For urgent cases, express 24-hour design turnaround is available for an additional $20–30.
What Does All of This Cost?
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Tooth-supported guide (1–2 implants) | $80 |
| Tooth-supported guide (3–5 implants) | $120 |
| CBCT segmentation (single jaw) | $20 |
| CBCT segmentation (with nerve mapping) | $40 |
| Express 24h design turnaround | +$20–30 |
No subscription. No software license. No per-case platform fees. No minimum case volume.
The total for a typical first case — single implant guide with basic CBCT segmentation — is $100. That's less than the cost of one failed implant restoration.
The process of separating bone, teeth, nerves, and sinuses in a CBCT scan into individual 3D structures. It enables precise anatomical visualization for treatment planning.
Start Your First Case on SurgicalGuide.Pro →
Frequently Asked Questions
I've never used a surgical guide before. Is this service right for me?
Absolutely. Most of our clients started exactly where you are. The entire planning is done by experienced designers — you just review and approve. No learning curve, no software training needed.
How much does my first surgical guide cost?
A single-implant tooth-supported guide is $80. With CBCT segmentation ($20), your total is $100 for the complete digital plan and print-ready STL.
What if I don't have an intraoral scanner?
Take a PVS impression, pour a stone model, and have any dental lab scan it. Desktop scanning of a stone model costs $10–20 at most labs, and many include it for free.
Do I need to do any planning myself?
No. You upload files and specify which teeth you're replacing. Our designers handle CBCT analysis, implant positioning, guide design, and all the technical planning. You review and approve.
What implant systems do you support?
All major systems: Straumann, Nobel Biocare, Dentsply Sirona, Zimmer Biomet, Osstem, Neodent, MegaGen, BioHorizons, and many others. If you're using a less common system, just let us know and we'll confirm compatibility.
How do I review the plan if I don't have planning software?
We send interactive 3D visualizations that open directly in your web browser — Chrome, Safari, Edge, anything. No downloads or plugins needed.
What happens if the plan doesn't look right to me?
Request changes. "Move it mesially," "change the angle," "try a wider implant" — we revise until you're satisfied. Unlimited revisions are included.
Can I cancel after seeing the plan?
Yes, with no charge. "Design First, Pay Later" means you only pay when you approve the final design and want the STL file.
How soon before surgery should I order?
We recommend 7–10 days before your scheduled surgery to allow for standard design time (2–3 days) plus any revisions. For last-minute cases, express 24-hour turnaround is available.
Do you handle the 3D printing?
We provide the print-ready STL file. You can print it on your own 3D printer or send it to your dental lab. We don't ship physical guides — this keeps costs down and gives you control over your printing workflow.
Is the guide sterilizable?
Yes. When printed in Class IIa biocompatible surgical guide resin (NextDent SG, Formlabs Surgical Guide V2, SprintRay Surgical Guide 3), the guide is autoclavable at 121°C / 250°F.
What if my patient's CBCT shows insufficient bone?
We'll flag it in the plan review and discuss options: shorter implant, narrower diameter, angled placement, or a recommendation for bone grafting before implant placement. No surprises on surgery day.
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