Surgical Guides for Flapless Dental Implant Placement and Immediate Definitive Prosthesis Installation by Using Selective Laser Melting and Sintering for 3D Metal and Polymer Printing: A Clinical Report

Integration between the phases of computer-based guided dental implant surgery can be used to optimize oral rehabilitation. Two new surgical guides prepared by using the 3D metal and polymer printing technology are presented for immediate implant loading and definitive fixed prosthesis construction in flapless dental implant surgery. Nine implants and 2 fixed prostheses were installed in 2 completely edentulous adult patients by using a metallopolymer surgical guide with a metal central bar attached to a polymer seal or a metal guide. Virtual planning was used to design the 3D printed surgical guides, which were then constructed by using selective laser sintering (SLM) and selective laser melting (SLS). The 3D printed surgical guides oriented the surgical placement of the implants and were welded to the abutments and attached to the denture framework. The technique allowed implants and prostheses to be installed on the same day.