Flapless guided implant surgery: a case report and review of literature

Abstract

Dental implant surgery has traditionally been done through raising flaps, until recently when flapless surgery was advocated. The major challenges of implant placement include correct implant localisation / angulations and osseointegration. In this regard, many types of surgical guides have been proposed. This is a case report of implant placement using flapless guided surgery with a simple surgical guide. A 31 year old female with missing right maxillary canine and left 1st premolar was treated in a private hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. Two implants (BASIC: Bio Anatomical System Implant Corporation USA) with titanium-oxidised surface were proposed for placement. The patient was treated according to the protocol in the BASIC treatment manual. In summary, it involved design and fabrication of a surgical guide and flapless guided implant surgery. This minimally invasive flapless procedure offered less chair time with no complication. The accompanying 3 month osseointegrating period offered a comfortable post surgical period for the patient without compromised treatment outcome. The design technique involved the use of a periapical (P.A) radiograph, impression casts, P.A film overlay. All of which are affordable in a developing environment.