Want to learn more about surgical guide planning?
Discover how digital workflows can improve your implant success rates.
Table of Contents
Ordering a surgical guide used to mean scheduling a meeting with a lab rep, shipping physical models, and waiting two weeks for a try-in. That era is over. Today, the entire process — from uploading your scans to holding a printed guide — takes 3–5 days, happens entirely online, and starts at $80.
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.
What Do You Need Before Placing an Order?
Two files. That's it. The rest is on us.
Required files:
| File | Format | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBCT scan | DICOM (.dcm) | Your CBCT unit or imaging center | Full FOV preferred; minimum 8×8cm for single implant |
| Intraoral scan | STL (.stl) | Any IOS (iTero, Trios, Medit, Primescan) | Upper and/or lower arch — whatever's relevant to the case |
Optional but helpful:
- Opposing arch scan (for occlusal reference)
- Pre-op photos (for aesthetic zone planning)
- Prescription or treatment plan notes (implant system preference, prosthetic plan)
What if I only have a panoramic X-ray?
A panoramic radiograph isn't sufficient for surgical guide design — you need the 3D volumetric data from a CBCT. If your practice doesn't have a CBCT unit, refer the patient to an imaging center. Most charge $150–$300 for a dental CBCT, and the scan takes 20 seconds.
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.
What if I don't have an intraoral scanner?
If you don't have an IOS, two options:
- Physical impression → lab scan: Your dental lab can scan the model and send us the STL ($15–30 lab fee)
- CBCT segmentation: We can extract surface anatomy from the CBCT data. Our segmentation service starts at $20 for a single jaw
How Does the Ordering Process Work — Step by Step?
Here's exactly what happens from the moment you decide to order:
Step 1: Create an account (2 minutes)
Register at app.surgicalguide.pro. Name, email, password. No credit card needed — you don't pay until you approve the design.
Step 2: Upload your files (5 minutes)
Drop your DICOM and STL files into the dashboard. Files upload via encrypted connection. We accept files up to 500MB — even the largest CBCT FOVs fit comfortably.
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.
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.
Step 3: Specify your case details (3 minutes)
Tell us what you need:
- Implant system and size (e.g., Straumann BLT 4.1×10mm)
- Planned position(s)
- Guide type: tooth-supported, tissue-supported, or bone-supported
- Any special considerations (nerve proximity, sinus lift planned, immediate loading)
Step 4: We design your guide (2–3 business days)
Our team analyzes your CBCT, segments the anatomy, merges with the intraoral scan, places the implant(s) virtually, engineers the guide body with system-specific drill sleeves, and prepares the complete surgical plan.
Step 5: Interactive 3D review (your pace)
You receive a link to an interactive 3D viewer. Rotate the model, check implant positions, measure distances to anatomical landmarks. View it on your desktop, tablet, or phone — no software installation needed.
Step 6: Revisions if needed (unlimited, free)
Want the implant 1mm more palatal? A different angle? A longer fixture? Request the change and we redesign. No revision limits, no extra charges. This back-and-forth continues until you're completely satisfied.
Step 7: Approve and pay ($80+)
Once the plan is exactly right, approve it and complete the payment. We accept all major credit cards and bank transfers.
Step 8: Download your STL (instant after payment)
Print-ready STL files are available for immediate download. Print on your in-house 3D printer or send to any dental lab.
The entire process — from upload to approved design — typically takes 2–3 business days. Express 24-hour turnaround is available for +$20–30.
Placing implants regularly? See how our workflow integrates with your practice.
How Much Does It Cost and When Do You Pay?
We operate on a Design First, Pay Later model. You pay nothing until you review and approve the design.
| Service | Price | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Single implant guide (1–2 implants) | $80 | 2–3 days |
| Multi-implant guide (3–5 implants) | $120 | 2–3 days |
| All-on-X guide | From $150 | 3–5 days |
| All-on-X + bone reduction | $200 | 3–5 days |
| Zygomatic / complex | $450 | 5–7 days |
| Express delivery surcharge | +$20–30 | 24 hours |
No subscription fees. No software licenses. No per-implant surcharges. You pay per case, only after you approve.
For practices processing 10+ cases per month, we offer custom partner pricing and consolidated bi-weekly invoicing.
What Happens After You Receive the STL Files?
Once you download the approved STL:
- Print using surgical-grade biocompatible resin (we provide spec sheets for every major printer brand)
- Post-process per your resin manufacturer's protocol (wash, cure, support removal)
- Try-in on the patient's dentition to verify seating and stability
- Sterilize via autoclave (most Class IIa resins handle 134°C steam sterilization)
- Operate with the confidence of pre-planned, verified implant positions
If you don't have an in-house printer, any dental lab with a 3D printer can fabricate the guide from your STL files. Lab printing typically costs $30–60 and adds 1–2 days.
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Your next implant case is already in your schedule.
Upload the files now and receive a complete surgical guide design in 2–3 days. Review before you pay.
Create Your Order on SurgicalGuide.pro
FAQ
What files do I need to order a surgical guide?
Two files: a CBCT scan in DICOM format and an intraoral scan in STL format. If you don't have an intraoral scanner, we can work with lab-scanned models or extract surface data from your CBCT starting at $20.
How long does the whole process take?
Typically 2–3 business days from file upload to approved design. Express 24-hour turnaround is available for +$20–30. Printing at your lab adds 1–2 more days.
Do I need special software to review the design?
No. We send you a link to an interactive 3D viewer that works in any web browser — desktop, tablet, or phone. No downloads, no plugins, no software purchases.
How much does it cost to order a surgical guide?
Starting at $80 for a single-implant case. Multi-implant guides are $120, All-on-X from $150. You pay only after reviewing and approving the design.
A full-arch implant rehabilitation protocol where 4-6 implants support a complete fixed prosthesis. It allows immediate loading, meaning patients receive teeth on the same day as surgery.
What implant systems do you support?
All major systems: Straumann (BLT, BLX, TLX), Nobel Biocare (Active, Conical, Replace), Osstem (TS III, MS), MegaGen (AnyRidge, AnyOne), Zimmer Biomet (T3, TSV), Dentsply (Astra, Ankylos, XiVE), and many more.
Can I request changes to the implant position?
Yes, unlimited revisions at no extra cost. Tell us what you want changed — angle, depth, position, fixture size — and we redesign until you approve.
What if I upload the wrong files or need to cancel?
Contact us anytime before design completion. Since you don't pay until approval, there's no cancellation fee or financial risk.
Is my patient data secure?
Yes. All files are transferred via encrypted connection and stored on HIPAA-compliant infrastructure. We never
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