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ExpertEase: A new method of computer-guided implant treatment

01-15-2009 | Creating Dental Excellence

ExpertEase is the guided surgery system from DENTSPLY Friadent, which includes a unique new drill concept and has been developed in collaboration with Materialise Dental based on the leading software in the world market, SimPlant. ExpertEase supports the experienced dentist (the Expert) with safe and precise planning and a template-guided implant placement procedure, and it helps the dentist place implants accurately and easily (Ease of use). A customized drill template (supported on the bone, mucosa or teeth) and a sleeve-on-drill system, which makes the "third hand" unnecessary with instrument-guided sleeves, make the ExpertEase system superior to conventional systems in accuracy, safety and comfort.

The use of ExpertEase reduces pain and stress for the patient with its minimally invasive procedure, even with flap procedures. This system, with its accurate drill template, simplifies preparation of the implant site and the process of implant placement. This significantly reduces the duration of treatment and improves patient compliance. ExpertEase uses a sleeve-on-drill design to simplify the procedure as much as possible. The open software, which means that it is not linked to any specific implant system, offers the greatest possible economy in implant treatment and is an ideal investment in the future for every implantologist. The unlimited number of templates, for which there is no additional software cost, makes ExpertEase an attractive investment for the dentist and it also allows the cost of treatment to be accurately estimated in advance, making billing easier with insurers.

Advantages of virtual implant planning
Based on the well-known SimPlant program from Materialise, virtual implant planning ensures safe and accurate planning of the positions of implants in the jaw. The dentist starts with a scan; the ExpertEase program is compatible with conventional CT and cone beam scanners. It provides a complete, accurate image of the patient's anatomy in an interactive environment for planning the treatment. Then the dentist checks the Hounsfield units to obtain information on the bone quality around the planned implant site and to draw conclusions on the expected primary stability of the implant. ExpertEase shows an image of the various classes of bone density in color. The system offers additional security with automatic collision control, which provides optical and acoustical warning of insufficient clearance between implants or nerves.

The implants can be placed, aligned and checked directly in 3D. Virtual teeth – particularly in partial dentition – can be replaced in a scanning template, which allows crown-down planning for optimum implant positioning with reference to esthetic and functional factors.
The implants and abutments can be subsequently displayed in a realistic design. This allows the optimum components to be selected before the procedure and ensures accurate placement in the anatomy and the prosthetics.

The DENTSPLY Friadent systems are preselected in the "Favorites" of the program, making it easy for users to access their own preferred systems. However, unlike other systems, ExpertEase software is open, which means that implants from all other manufacturers that are included in the implant library acquired from SimPlant can be planned and placed with the program.

Patient-specific drill templates for accurate transfer of planning information
A customized ExpertEase drill template is fabricated from the planning data by stereolithography. Stereolithography, a high-resolution 3D fabrication technology using lasers, guarantees the high degree of accuracy required for exact positioning on the jaw. The drill template accurately transfers the results of the planning process to the patient's mouth. The ExpertEase guides are fabricated individually for every patient. The guide ensures that the drills are at the planned position. The implant site is prepared to an accuracy in the sub-millimeter range and the implant is placed in exactly the right position. A lateral access into the template is in preparation for the ExpertEase guides, which will allow template-guided surgery in the side-tooth region even where the mouth opening is restricted. The individual guides for every scenario, such as bone supported templates for edentulous patients, which are available exclusively from Materialise, ensure that the template is perfectly seated during the operation, and they are also ideal in combination with augmentations.

Sleeve-on-drill system for safe and comfortable application
The drills with a guide sleeve that can be fixed to them and an accurate guide into the template, which have been specially developed by DENTSPLY Friadent, make the procedure safe and comfortable for the patient. The adjustable guide sleeves are premounted on the drills to ensure an accurate fit and are inserted into the template with the drill. The sleeve-on-drill guides the drill accurately and only requires two hands to operate it, unlike current conventional systems. The drill-stop system controls the depth accurately.

Ease of use and cost-efficient
The easy-to-use ExpertEase sleeve-on-drill design for the DENTSPLY Friadent XiVE and ANKYLOS implant systems (in preparation) assists in making implant placement more accurate and easier and to standardize the procedure. The treatment procedure will be permanently simplified by the uncomplicated process, in which drills will be available in the exact corresponding length for every size of implant.
The ability to estimate the cost of the treatment accurately in advance will simplify billing with insurers and ensure economical implant treatment and cost-efficient planning right from the start. And the most important factor: patients will receive an accurate estimate with the accurate planning of all stages of the procedure, the time required and the resulting cost
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For more information on computer-guided implant placement with ExpertEase:

Factsheet ExpertEase (PDF, 257 KB)

Basic Press Release ExpertEase (PDF, 302 KB)

Website ExpertEase