OBJECTIVETo guide doctors in precisely positioning surgical operation, a new production method of minimally invasive implant guide template was presented.

METHODSThe mandible of patient was scanned by CT scanner, and three-dimensional jaw bone model was constructed based on CT images data The professional dental implant software Simplant was used to simulate the plant based on the three-dimensional CT model to determine the location and depth of implants. In the same time, the dental plaster models were scanned by stereo vision system to build the oral mucosa model. Next, curvature registration technology was used to fuse the oral mucosa model and the CT model, then the designed position of implant in the oral mucosa could be determined. The minimally invasive implant guide template was designed in 3-Matic software according to the design position of implant and the oral mucosa model. Finally, the template was produced by rapid prototyping.

RESULTSThe three-dimensional registration technology was useful to fuse the CT data and the dental plaster data, and the template was accurate that could provide the doctors a guidance in the actual planting without cut-off mucosa.

CONCLUSIONThe guide template which fabricated by comprehensive utilization of three-dimensional registration, Simplant simulation and rapid prototyping positioning are accurate and can achieve the minimally invasive and accuracy implant surgery, this technique is worthy of clinical use.

Computer-Aided Design ; Dental Implantation, Endosseous ; Dental Implants ; Dental Models ; Humans ; Jaw, Edentulous ; Mandible ; Patient Care Planning ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted