News & Events

The evolution of the SimPlant platform continues to improve with important innovations to maintain its leadership position in the implant industry. The introduction of realistic implants in version 9, was a necessary evolution which allowed clinicians to choose not only a representative schematic shape, but an actual CAD representation of implants (as provided by the implant manufacturers) to be used in the planning phase.

The ability to view the realistic implant empowered the clinician to plan and visualize implant placement in a variety of views provided by the SimPlant Platform. The 3D realistic implants in the library can be identified by the cross hatches in the drop down menu (fig. 1). When the preview button is activated an interactive, scalable CAD model reveals all aspects of the implant. This was a major step toward enhanced visualization for treatment planning dental implant placement. However, clinicians who wished to better understand the restorative components which connect and project from the implant were still left with rudimentary schematic shapes.

All of this changed with SimPlant Version 10 when participating implant manufacturers provided the necessary CAD files to incorporate realistic virtual abutments as an extension of the implant library. Now when clinicians plan to place an implant, and wish to place an abutment they have additional choices when the dialogue box is displayed (fig.2).

Realistic stock implant abutments can be chosen based upon shape, tissue cuff height, diameter, and purpose  (fig. 3-5).

Fig. 3-5: Shape, tissue cuff height, diameter and purpose are factors you take into account choosing realistic implant abutments.

In the cross-sectional view, the implant can be placed in the desired position, and a realistic virtual abutment chosen based upon the restorative needs of the site (fig. 6).

The abutment connection can be visualized as it engages the internal aspect of the implant, and as the facial margin is positioned appropriately. The realistic abutment can be fully appreciated using other interactive tools, including virtual teeth, incremental rotational positioning, and 3D clipping functions seen in fig. 7.

The realistic abutment can be positioned and evaluated in relationship with either a barium sulfate fully contoured tooth worn
during the scan, or in conjunction with the new virtual tooth tool which was also introduced in Version 10 (fig. 8).

The combination of the advanced planning tools included within SimPlant provide clinicians with all of the information to properly position implants within the desired framework of the ultimate restoration. Realistic implants can be placed using the paralleling tool, and realistic abutments chosen with an emergence profile which fits within the restorative parameters of the site (fig. 9). In this example, four realistic Tapered Screw-Vent implants (Zimmer Dental, Carlsbad, CA) were utilized. The 3D bone volume was turned off, to reveal the underlying implants which demonstrate their virtual parallel positioning. Using virtual contour abutments with 1mm tissue cuff heights, the restorative parameters are instantly understood within this interactive virtual environment.

Virtual teeth can then be fabricated to help determine the emergence profile, and interproximal contacts (fig.10). These tools will continue to be refined in order to serve as the ultimate link between the implant and the restoration, thus allowing for true prosthetically directed planning.

The ability to utilize these innovative tools is greatly enhanced when steps are taken in advance of the actual scan. Using a radiopaque scanning or scannographic appliances define the prosthetic restoration in relation to the bone below. Implants can then be positioned within the envelope of the desired restoration. The appropriate realistic abutment can then be chosen with a total appreciation of the bone, the implant, and the restorative needs of the prosthesis (fig.11).

The close-up view reveals a screw-retaining abutment (Certain Implant, 3i Biomet, Palm Gardens, Florida) which can then be evaluated in relation to the tooth position, verical height and the thickness of the lingual flange of the prosthesis (fig.12). Other abutment types, such as a ball attachment for overdenture prostheses can be evaluated for proper positioning, to allow true pre-surgical prosthetic planning.

The next logical progression to SimPlant’s prodigious implant library has been the addition of realistic abutments. The use of these new tools offers clinicians with enhanced abilities for diagnosis and treatment planning providing essential information to assess all aspects of the surgical site and proposed restoration.

These new additions bring SimPlant one step closer to allowing clinicians access to all of the parts and pieces that are required to complete each case, before the scalpel ever touches the patient!

Scott D. Ganz, DMD

Official website: www.drganz.com

Dr. Scott D. Ganz graduated from the University of Medicine and Dentistry - New Jersey Dental School. He completed a three-year specialty program in Maxillofacial Prosthetics at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. During this time Dr. Ganz was exposed to many different aspects of head and neck reconstruction, fabricating both intra-oral and extra-oral prostheses such as eyes, ears, noses, etc. This was followed by 20 years clinical experience (both surgical and restorative phases) with most major implant systems available today. Dr. Ganz is well-published in various scientific and professional journals. He has delivered presentations both nationally and internationally on Implant Dentistry and Computer Utilization for Diagnostic, Graphical, and Treatment Planning Applications in Dentistry. He has been a featured speaker for numerous organizations including the Academy of Osseointegration, American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the American College of Prosthodontists, the American College of Oral Implantology, and the American Society of Osseointegration. He is a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, a Fellow of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, and an Associate Fellow in the American College of Prosthodontists.

Dr. Ganz serves as Chairperson for several committees of various organizations, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Section of the American College of Prosthodontists for which he is a Past-President. He is on the staff of Hackensack University Medical Center, teaching prosthodontics and implant dentistry, is on the faculty of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and past faculty of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Ganz is a member of Sulzer Dental's Peer Practicum Educational Program and is past faculty member of the ExperDent/ICOI Implant Prosthetic Continuum Faculty. He is also on the faculty of many other implant preceptorship programs throughout the country including the University of Texas Health and Science Center in San Antonio, the University of Michigan, the Brookdale / NYU Maxicourse in Implantology, the University of Miami Implant Dentistry Program, and the Universidad Nacional, Federico Villareal, in Lima, Peru.

Dr. Ganz's book, "An Illustrated Guide to Understanding Dental Implants" available in both English and Spanish, has received wide acclaim as the standard in patient education texts, and has sold worldwide in over twenty-two countries. Dr. Ganz has also been a pioneer in the development of interactive multi-media presentations and educational material for the computer, CD-ROM, the Internet, and video.

Dr. Ganz currently maintains a private practice for Prosthodontics, Maxillofacial Prosthetics, and Implant Dentistry in Fort Lee, New Jersey.