Dental Implant Process
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Here at Ponderosa Dental Arts in Oregon City, we use place most implants full guided, a state-of-the-art computer-aided technology that helps locate the best placement for the dental implant from a 3D scan of your teeth. This process maps out the whole dental implant procedure in a pre-planning environment, so when the actual procedure takes place, it not only increases efficiency for a seamless procedure, but also results in a safer overall environment for the patient.
This Guided Dental Implant Process starts out with a complimentary initial consultation and exam where Dr. Berkner will look over your case and provide an assessment for your treatment. A CBCT (3D) scan will then be taken of your teeth, where the Guided Dental Implant(s) will be placed digitally onto the 3D scan, setting up the planned location of the implant for the actual procedure.
When the procedure takes place, a high-tech surgical guide will duplicate this pre-planned position on the 3D scan, safely placing the dental implant in the jaw through a guided stent, which is basically a sleeve with a tube inside. After the dental implant has been placed and settled in, an abutment (or connection piece) will be placed on top, which will connect the final Crown to the Implant, safely securing your beautiful new tooth in place.

Digital Placement Software showing planned Implant location and angulation.
Hover over to see how precisely the implant is digitally planned.

What are the Benefits of Guided Dental Implants?
Guided Dental Implant Placement provides a very safe environment to the patient due to its meticulous planning before the day of the implant placement. This previously planned location helps the guided stent precisely place the implant in during the procedure, often times decreasing the amount of time spent in the procedure itself compared to traditional methods. The use of 3D scans also show more detail than traditional x-rays, allowing the dentist all the important structures that help make the placement of the dental implant more predictable and safe.
Dr. Berkner takes care of most patient cases through the entire Dental Implant process, which includes placing the Dental Implant as well as the Crown. By having Dr. Berkner take care of the process from start to finish allows him to map out and oversee the whole procedure, giving optimal results for Crown aesthetics and location. Below are some CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) Scan examples of actual implants that have been placed at this office.
Dental Implant Free Consultation
If you are considering having Dental Implants, call us today to schedule your free consultation in Oregon City. Dr. Berkner and his knowledgeable staff would be happy to go over your particular case, covering the available options for your treatment, providing you with a beautiful smile.