Digital DentistryGlossary

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.

A surgical procedure that removes the tip (apex) of a tooth root to treat persistent infection that cannot be resolved by conventional root canal therapy.

The structural quality of jawbone classified on the Misch scale (D1-D4). Higher density provides better implant stability; lower density may require modified surgical protocols.

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.

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.

The end-to-end digital process in implant dentistry: from CBCT scanning and treatment planning to surgical guide design, 3D printing, and guided implant placement.

An implant placement technique that uses a physical surgical guide to direct drills and implants to positions planned in 3D software. It improves accuracy and reduces surgical risks compared to freehand placement.

A protocol where a temporary prosthesis is attached to implants within 24-48 hours of surgery, rather than waiting 3-6 months for healing. It requires high primary stability.

A metal or titanium insert pressed into the surgical guide that directs the drill at a specific angle and position. Each implant system has proprietary sleeve dimensions.

The minimum safe distance between an implant and the inferior alveolar nerve, typically 2mm. Violating this margin during surgery can cause permanent numbness of the lip and chin.

The surgical preparation of bone to receive a dental implant. Sequential drills of increasing diameter create a precisely sized channel for implant insertion.

An implant design where the abutment diameter is narrower than the implant platform. This shifts the micro-gap inward, reducing crestal bone loss and improving long-term aesthetics.

The mechanical resistance of an implant immediately after insertion. It is determined by bone density and implant design, and is critical for immediate loading protocols.

An implant planning approach that starts from the ideal final tooth position and works backward to determine optimal implant placement. It ensures the implant supports the best possible prosthetic outcome.

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.

A multi-layer surgical guide system where each layer guides a different surgical phase (extraction, osteotomy, implant placement). Used for complex full-arch cases requiring sequential procedures.

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.

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.

A surgical procedure that moves a tooth from one position to another within the same patient, typically transplanting a wisdom tooth to replace a lost molar.

An extra-long implant (30-52.5mm) anchored in the zygomatic (cheek) bone when the upper jaw lacks sufficient bone volume for conventional implants.