A More Precise, Safer, and More Predictable Way to Place Dental Implants

Dental implant success depends on millimeter-level accuracy. Even small variations in angle, bone depth, or positioning can impact long-term stability, esthetics, bite alignment, and comfort. Guided implant surgery uses 3D imaging and custom-made surgical guides to place implants exactly where they need to be — with precision that exceeds the limitations of freehand placement.

At Osuna Dental Care in Albuquerque, we rely on CBCT scanning, Trios digital impressions, virtual implant planning, and custom surgical guide fabrication to ensure every implant is placed with accuracy and intention. Whether you’re receiving a single implant or a full-arch restoration, guided surgery significantly improves predictability and reduces risk.

What Is Guided Implant Surgery?

Guided implant surgery uses a 3D-printed guide to control the position, angle, depth, and placement of a dental implant. Instead of relying solely on visual landmarks or tactile feedback, the guide locks into place and directs the implant precisely where it was planned digitally.

Guided surgery is especially valuable for:

• full-mouth or All-on-4 implant cases

• esthetic zone implants (front teeth)

• patients with thin or limited bone

• same-day dental implants

• immediate placement after extraction

• sinus-related cases

• complex angulation

• multi-unit abutment alignment

The result is a safer, more predictable implant procedure with optimized long-term outcomes.

How Guided Implant Surgery Works

1. CBCT Scan

We begin by taking a 3D CBCT scan of your jaw to evaluate:

• bone density

• ridge width and height

• sinus and nerve location

• infection or defects

• anatomical structures

• implant pathway options

This imaging creates a digital map of your jaw.

2. Digital Impressions

Using the 3Shape Trios scanner, we capture a digital impression of your teeth, gums, and bite. This merges with your CBCT scan to create a complete virtual model.

3. Virtual Implant Planning

In the planning software, we:

• position the implant ideally

• control depth and angulation

• evaluate bone support

• assess crown emergence profiles

• plan esthetic outcomes

• identify critical anatomical structures

This step ensures that the implant is placed in the exact position needed for both surgical and restorative success.

If you’d like to see how this impacts full-arch treatments, you can read more here:
https://osunadentalcare.com/full-mouth-dental-implants-in-albuquerque-nm

4. Designing the Surgical Guide

Once the implant positions are finalized, we design a custom surgical guide that fits securely over your teeth or gums. It contains openings that control the drilling pathway and implant placement.

Guides may be:

• tooth-supported

• tissue-supported

• bone-supported (for full-arch cases)

Each offers different benefits based on the procedure.

5. 3D Printing the Guide

The guide is printed with high-precision resin and checked for accuracy. On surgery day, we test the fit before starting the procedure.

6. Guided Surgery

The guide locks into place, allowing us to:

• drill at the correct angle

• reach the exact depth

• avoid nerves or the sinus

• place implants precisely where planned

This reduces the chance of complications and dramatically improves long-term success.

Why Guided Implant Surgery Is Superior to Freehand Placement

1. Greater Accuracy

Implants are placed in exact alignment with the future restoration. This makes crowns, bridges, and full-arch prosthetics fit more naturally.

2. Safer for Patients

Guided surgery protects:

• nerves

• sinus membranes

• thin bone areas

• adjacent roots

• esthetic zones

Safety is especially important for immediate placement, sinus lift cases, and anterior implants.

Learn more about sinus considerations here:
https://osunadentalcare.com/sinus-lift-albuquerque

3. More Predictable Results

Because the planning is completed digitally, the final outcome is far more consistent.

4. Shorter Surgery Time

Guides reduce guesswork, making the procedure more efficient and comfortable.

5. Better Esthetic Outcomes

In the front teeth, a millimeter can change the appearance of gum levels, symmetry, and smile contours. Guided implants ensure ideal positioning.

6. Ideal for Full-Arch and All-on-4 Cases

With All-on-4 or full-mouth implants, precision is EVERYTHING. Angled posterior implants must be placed accurately to create the right AP spread and ensure long-term strength.

If you’re exploring All-on-4®:
https://osunadentalcare.com/all-on-four-dental-implants-in-albuquerque-nm

Guided Surgery for Same-Day Dental Implants

Guided surgery makes same-day implants safer and more predictable, both for:

• immediate placement (single-tooth extraction + implant same day)

• same-day full-arch implants (immediate load All-on-4)

By pre-planning the implant position digitally, we can safely place temporary teeth the same day when stability allows.

You can learn more about how same-day procedures work here:
https://osunadentalcare.com/same-day-dental-implants-in-albuquerque-nm

When Guided Surgery Is Essential

While many implants can be placed freehand by experienced surgeons, guided surgery is strongly recommended for:

• full-mouth reconstruction

• cases with thin ridges

• anterior esthetic cases

• implant bridges

• multi-unit abutment precision

• immediate load cases

• sinus proximity

• immediate placement after extraction

• angled implant planning

• patients with complex anatomy

These situations benefit greatly from the added accuracy and safety.

When Freehand Surgery May Still Be Appropriate

Some simple implant placements—such as replacing a single posterior tooth with abundant bone—may not require guided surgery. Dr. Kim will determine the safest and most efficient approach based on your CBCT scan.

Guided Surgery & Bone Grafting

Guided surgery also improves outcomes for grafting, especially when:

• the graft is placed before implant placement

• ridge shape needs predictable rebuilding

• critical anatomy must be avoided

• esthetic outcomes depend on tissue support

More details on grafting options:
https://osunadentalcare.com/bone-grafting-in-albuquerque

Cost of Guided Implant Surgery in Albuquerque

Guided surgery adds cost because of:

• CBCT imaging

• digital planning time

• guide fabrication

• more precise lab collaboration

• higher-quality materials

However, it saves money long-term by reducing:

• complications

• failures

• restorative misalignment

• surgical guesswork

• need for future revisions

Typical pricing ranges:

• Surgical guide: $300–$600 per implant site

• Full-arch guide sets: $1,000–$2,500, depending on complexity

The value is the increased safety and long-term stability.

Patients exploring implant costs can review details here:
https://osunadentalcare.com/dental-implant-cost-albuquerque

Who Benefits Most From Guided Implant Surgery?

Guided surgery is ideal for:

• nervous patients wanting safer procedures

• full-arch candidates

• patients with limited bone

• people with esthetic zone implants

• cases requiring precise angle or depth

• sinus-adjacent sites

• immediate load candidates

• anterior implants where visibility is limited

If predictability is the goal, guided surgery is the gold standard.

FAQ — Guided Implant Surgery

Is guided implant surgery painful?

No. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and many cases feel even easier than freehand implants because of reduced surgical time.

Is a surgical guide always needed?

No, but it is recommended for precision-sensitive cases.

Do guided implants heal faster?

Healing time is similar, but success rates may be higher because the implant is placed in ideal bone.

Is guided surgery more accurate?

Yes — significantly. CBCT-guided placements are consistently more accurate than freehand.

Can guided surgery be used for full-arch implants?

Absolutely. It’s the preferred method for All-on-4 or full-mouth reconstruction.

Schedule Your Guided Implant Evaluation

If you want the most precise, safest, and most predictable implant experience available, guided surgery may be the right choice for you. Our CBCT-guided process ensures millimeter-level accuracy for both single-tooth implants and full-arch restorative procedures.

We are accepting patients from Albuquerque and its neighborhoods - Nor Este, Embudo Canyon, 87111 Areas, 87112 Areas.

Come and join our family!

Osuna Dental Care

Osuna Dental Care
5900 Cubero Dr NE Ste B
Albuquerque, NM 87109
(505) 884-1989