BackgroundThe philosophy of a gradual transition to an implant retained prosthesis in
cases of full-mouth or extensive rehabilitation usually involves a staged
treatment concept. In this therapeutic approach, the placement of implants
may sometimes be divided into phases. During a subsequent surgical phase of
treatment, the pre-existing implants can serve as anchors for the surgical
template. Those modified surgical templates help in the precise transferring
of restorative information into the surgical field and guide the optimal
three-dimensional implant positioning.MethodsThis article highlights the rationale of implant-retained surgical templates
and illustrates them through the presentation of two clinical cases. The
templates are duplicates of the provisional restorations and are secured to
the existing implants through the utilization of implant mounts.ResultsThis template design in such staged procedures provided stability in the
surgical field and enhanced the accuracy in implant positioning based upon
the planned restoration, thus ensuring predictable treatment outcomes.ConclusionsSuccessful rehabilitation lies in the correct sequence of surgical and
prosthetic procedures. Whenever a staged approach of implant placement is
planned, the clinician can effectively use the initially placed implants as
anchors for the surgical template during the second phase of implant
surgery.