What is ExpertEase?
Experts plan and place implants with an easy to use system!
ExpertEase is  a combination of an open planning software with a specially designed set of instruments for guided placement of XiVE and ANKYLOS implants.

What are the main factors for the application of guided implant placement?

• comprehensive 3D diagnostics: predictability of anatomical structures
• optimum communications
• implant planning with reference to surgical AND prosthetic factors – "backward planning"
• minimally invasive surgery
• cost efficiency 
• simplified, accurate implant placement
• extended options for immediate loading
• forensics – complete documentation

What are the particular advantages of ExpertEase?
The ExpertEase software is based on SimPlant software, which has been in successful use for many years. It is continuously updated to meet the requirements of customers and the increasing demands. It can also be used in planning for all implant systems currently on the market. With the sleeve-on-drill system and a clearly structured surgical kit for XiVE and ANKYLOS, the drills and implants are accurately and easily guided into the previously defined position by a customized surgical guide.

What is sleeve-on-drill?
The "sleeve-on-drill“ system simplifies the surgical procedure and is quickly learned. Drills are not guided by spoons that must be changed frequently, and the implants do not need to be screwed to abutments of varying sizes before placement. Only one of five different sleeves is attached to a drill before the operation, which means that even very complex cases with many implants can be conducted quickly and easily.

Who can I call if I have any problems?
Call the ExpertEase hotline for assistance

Is there a difference between SimPlant and ExpertEase?
The name is different and DENTSPLY Friadent implants are saved as favorites in ExpertEase.

Do I need a current plaster cast of the patient in every case?
No. A plaster cast must be sent for scanning is only required if you are ordering a tooth-supported surgical guide.
The address is:
Materialise Dental, Technologielaan 15, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
If you have an optical scanner you can scan the plaster cast at your practice and simply send the data to Materialise. You can use the optical scan module to import the data directly into your ExpertEase Pro software and match it with the radiological patient data.

For what indications is a scanning prosthesis/x-ray guide indicated?
The more teeth are missing the more important is a radio-opaque scanning guide. If the optimum prosthetic position of the implants is not clear, at least the teeth should be manufactured from a radio-opaque material. If a gum-supported surgical guide is to be used, a radio-opaque scanning guide is essential.

What material is suitable for the manufacture of a scanning prosthesis?
Only plastics enriched with barium sulfate will be clearly visible in the x-ray images. In our experience we can recommend primarily plastic supplied by Anaxdent (x-ray).

What is the use of bite locking in the scanning prosthesis?
During manufacture of a scanning prosthesis the dental technician must lock the bite and fix it in an articulator at a maximum of three millimeters with a non-radio-opaque material. This makes the visual separation of the maxilla and mandible much simpler during the segmentation. During manufacture of a tooth-supported guide the x-ray images can be harmonized with the laser scan of the plaster cast without difficulty.

When must I use a scanning prosthesis?
If you are working with single scans, you will only need a completely radio-opaque prosthesis for mucosa-supported surgical guides. If the type of support (tooth, bone, mucosa-supported) cannot be defined beforehand, only a completely radio-opaque prosthesis gives you the choice of all three guide types. Existing prostheses can be duplicated from radio-opaque material for this purpose or radio-opaque markers can be added (dual scan).

Do I need reference points to have an ExpertEase guide manufactured at a later date?
No. The guides are manufactured by the CAD/CAM process. The data from the software are sent directs to the stereolithography machine. This ensures a 1:1 data transfer without reference points.

What must the radiologist provide?
The software requires axial and uncompressed DICOM data (see below) that has been recorded in one single pass (except with the dual-scan process). This requires correct positioning of patients and compliance with specific parameters (see box "Download Guide Library“). The radiologist burns the data to a CD-ROM and sends it to the practitioner or the laboratory or directly to an external processing center (see Conversion and Segmentation).

What is DICOM?
Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) is an open standard for exchanging information in medicine. Almost all manufacturers of imaging or image-processing systems in medicine, such as digital x-ray, work with DICOM. DICOM standardizes the format for saving the data and also the communications protocol for data exchange. This ensures that systems from different manufacturers can operate together in the clinical field.

Can the radiologist obtain information on the parameters?
The radiologist can obtain useful information on the optimum settings of the scanner on the web site or from our ExpertEase technical consultants (hotline +49 1805 374233*). An evaluation of more than 3500 data sets of virtually all CT and DVT devices is available at the web site.

0.14 €/min. from a German landline, mobile max. 0.42 €/min.

Is there such a thing as the ideal scan patient?
Yes. The ideal patient remains motionless during the scan and has no metal structures in the mouth. This eliminates the possibility of interference from motion and radiation artifacts.

How can I avoid radiation artifacts?
If there is metal in the mouth (except for titanium) artifacts are always generated. The practitioner should remove as much metal as possible from the mouth during preparation for the CT/DVT. Compared to a CT DVT images show significantly fewer artifacts resulting from metallic restorations in jaw areas with teeth.

Will the artifacts have a negative influence on the view of the bone contour?
You can check this beforehand with a current OPG image. Artifacts are always horizontal only. If the view of the implant region on the OPG is outside the horizontal ranges of metal structures the bone will be clearly visible in the CT/DVT.

What is a dual scan?
The radiologist supplies a data set of the patient with the prosthesis and a second (dual) data set of the prosthesis alone. The software combines the two data sets with the dual-scan module. This process is generally used with edentulous jaws. The dual scan replaces the manufacture of a new scanning prosthesis. The dental technician places at least eight gutta-percha markers in the patient's prosthesis.

Why does the prosthesis "slip" during the dual scan?
The position of the displayed prosthesis from the dual scan does not match the display of the prosthesis in the x-ray images. Do not select any more than eight markers for the scan and that should solve the problem.

What is conversion and segmentation?
Conversion is the import of DICOM data so the images of the patient can be evaluated in three dimensions. Segmentation then allows the data to be displayed in different colors in different volumes. This is a valuable assistance with orientation and can also be used to generate impressive images for the patient.

Can I do the conversion myself?
Yes. You will need the ExpertEase Pro version.

I would rather not do the conversion and segmentation myself.
DENTSPLY Friadent offers a conversion service for such cases. Please contact your local technical consultant or send a short e-mail to guide-support@friadent.de. Our specialist will contact you to discuss the data transfer and the subsequent steps. You will receive the converted file after a maximum of two days.

The existing dentition is not taken into account in the preview of the surgical guide.
This will not affect the final design of the delivered surgical guide. Because the segmentation displays the teeth in a different volume from that of the bone, the preview does not include the teeth. Bone and dentition would have to be displayed in a common mask (color) to include the teeth.

Who will support me if I have questions about using the software?
Your local ExpertEase specialist will be pleased to offer support. In addition to telephone support the specialist can also access your computer directly, with your approval.
You can contact your regional specialists on the ExpertEase hotline or at Friadent. 

Where can I find more answers on software topics?
Your first point of contact is your regional ExpertEase specialist.

Why should I have a maintenance contract for my software license?
A current maintenance contract includes:
- software updates (approx. 2-4 per year)
- updates to the implant library
- updates to the guide library
- automatic password administration over the internet
- extended support by DENTSPLY Friadent specialists

This gives you comprehensive support and ensures that you always have the latest version of the software.

Why should I accept the maintenance contract from DENTSPLY Friadent?
You will receive optimum support from an experienced and competent team. Regional and national specialists are available for assistance at all times to answer questions about operation of the software (training) and the handling of the surgical steps. You can also arrange a visit at your practice or laboratory. In addition, all orders for ExpertEase guides are closely monitored through to delivery. You receive personal support for all problems that might arise (see section on guides) to ensure that you receive your guide before the date of surgery.

I need support with planning.
The software provides an initial level of support with the context-based help system. You can contact the ExpertEase specialists at DENTSPLY Friadent if you need additional personalized help. Call the hotline. In addition to providing assistance by telephone, we can access your computer directly. We use a remote access program for this. In some cases a specialist can also provide on-site assistance in the practice or laboratory. The dentist remains responsible for planning and treatment.

Should I plan additional fixing for a bone-supported guide?
Always in case of doubt! Where the site is well contoured the guide can be positioned on the uncovered bone with sufficient accuracy that additional fixing is not required during the operation.

How are fixation screws to be planned?
Fixation screws must be completely in the region of the scanning guide in the planning view. The base of the scanning guide should be shaped with maximum extension and should be made of a radio-opaque material.

Can I also plan for other implant systems with the ExpertEase software?
Yes. ExpertEase offers the same range of implant options for the whole range of current implant systems.

How close can implants be to one another in planning?
In addition to the osseous distance (≥ 3 mm according to Tarnow), the distance in the clinical section is also important for the placement of the sleeves in the guide. Please proceed as follows to avoid subsequent collisions. Double-click on the implant. In Abutments go to "Predefined Abutment". Select a "Straight“ abutment and change the collar diameter to 5.5 mm and the collar height to 10 mm. Click OK. If the abutments do not come into contact, the sleeves can also be placed in the ExpertEase guide. If there is a collision, please modify your planning.

How close can I plan to place implants to vital teeth?
In addition to the osseous distance (≥ 1,5 mm according to Tarnow), the distance in the clinical section is also important for the placement of the sleeves. See the previous question.

What is stereolithography?
A light-curing liquid epoxy resin is cured in thin layers (0.05 mm to 0.25 mm layers) by a laser. This generates a solid model from virtual data from the software (bone, guide).

What types of guide can I order?
You can select tooth-supported, mucosa-supported or bone-supported guides.

How can a bone-supported guide be manufactured?
The basis for a bone-supported guide is the differential display of soft tissue and bone tissue in the CT/DVT raw data. Stereolithography enables the manufacture of a copy identical to nature, including the topography of the alveolar ridge. The prerequisite for a good fit of the guide is thorough preparation of the local bone.

I would like to order a guide.
In the ExpertEase software open the Task Manager, go to "Order SurgiGuide“ and proceed through all subsequent steps. If you send the order via the online shop, you will receive a confirmation of receipt after a short time with an order number, the order ID, after a short time. Please include the order ID with any questions.

I cannot order the surgical guide on line.
If your computer with the ExpertEase software cannot connect to the internet, then follow the order routine in the Task Manager. In the last step save your planning as an sgo file. The sgo file contains the planning and all the order information that you have input. The file can now be sent by e-mail to from a computer with an internet connection or by sending a CD-ROM with the data to Materialise Dental. The address is:
Materialise Dental, Technologielaan 15, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.

I am not receiving a 3D preview for the guide.
Please check the planned implants. ExpertEase guides are available for the following implants: XiVE S D 3.0 (11 mm to 15 mm), D 3.4 (9.5 mm to 15 mm), D 3.8 (8 mm to 15 mm), D4.5 (8 mm to 15 mm) and ANKYLOS C/X A and B (both 8 mm to 14 mm). Other diameters and lengths are not available for ExpertEase.

I was requested to send in a plaster cast.
You receive this request either during the order process or subsequently in an e-mail message from DENTSPLY Friadent. Please label the cast with the patient's name, the name of the purchaser and if available the order number (order ID). You can of course also send the plaster cast and the CD-ROM with the order as an sgo file together. The address is:
Materialise Dental, Technologielaan 15, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
We recommend sending the cast by courier, because the dispatch can be traced
.

Must I always send a plaster cast to Materialise?
No. A current plaster cast is only required for tooth-supported guides. This ensures better fitting accuracy in the mouth for the subsequent surgical guide.

Can I order additional required materials as well as the surgical guide?
Yes. You can order the planned implants and abutments along with additional bone models, reduction splints and other material.

I am ordering a bone-supported guide. Must I also order a stereolithography model (SL model)?
No. A model of the bone situation of the patient is always included free of charge with bone-supported guides. An SL model cannot be used to monitor the position stability with tooth-supported or mucosa-supported guides.

Is it possible to order a mucosa-supported guide even with residual dentition?
This guide will only be manufactured if the implants are sufficiently far from the residual dentition. This is checked in every case. The position stability is much better with the residual dentition, i.e. with a tooth-supported guide.

Are there any restrictions with the ordering of ExpertEase guides? 
Yes. The production may be delayed if motion and/or metal artifacts are superimposed on the bone area on CT/DVT images, or in generally if the image quality is inadequate.

Are there any additional restrictions with the ordering of a mucosa-supported guide?
Yes. This type of guide always requires the patient to wear a completely radio-opaque scanning guide with a fully dimensioned contact area during the scan. Optionally you can use a prosthesis with radio-opaque markers in the dual scan process. See also impression making/scanning prosthesis.

Are there any additional restrictions with the ordering of a tooth-supported guide?
Yes. Even if a current plaster cast was sent in for this order, metal artifacts that are superimposed over the complete dentition in the scanned images may prevent production. For this reason please remove as much metal as possible from the patient's mouth before the patient goes to the radiologist.

Are there any additional restrictions with the ordering of a bone-positioned guide?
Yes. The contact area of the edentulous jaw region must be at least 30 mm and the bone contours must be overlaid by metal artifacts.

How can the ExpertEase vouchers be activated?
When you purchase a guide package Materialise generates voucher numbers for you. During the order process you will be asked whether you wish to use a voucher for the order. You make a check at this point and Materialise will assign a voucher number after receipt of the order. The voucher number will be listed in the next status report.

The voucher field is not active.
Use the notes field to input a voucher number. If you do not have a list of your voucher numbers, note that you would like activation in the notes field. You can only order ExpertEase guides with vouchers that start with "X“ and have been obtained from DENTSPLY Friadent.

Will I receive information of the status of the order?
Yes. DENTSPLY Friadent Guide Support keeps you informed of every stage of your order. DENTSPLY Friadent continuously monitors all current orders for guides. Scheduling difficulties and technical problems will be discussed with you directly immediately they occur to ensure that production can be continued without any additional loss of time.

I have some questions about current orders. Is there a fixed contact person?
Yes. Please contact guide-support@friadent.de

Who manufactures the guides?
The guides are manufactured by stereolithography at Materialise Dental in Belgium.

How many days are the order will I receive the guide?
The normal time from the date of the orders to delivery is ten days.

Can I speed up the process?
Yes. If you have a date for surgery that cannot be changed within the ten days, the production can be accelerated. This will cost an additional 150 euros. You will receive the guide after about six days. 

Can the guides be sterilized?
The guides consist of a synthetic resin which is sensitive to heat. Use only disinfection solutions (e.g. chlorhexidine) before use.

Can the contact area of the guides be minimized?
Yes. Because it is a plastic, the guide can be modified before the procedure. Please note that this will affect the position stability of bone-supported or mucosa-supported guides. If you have a dual scan or optical scan module, you can adjust the design of the guide directly in the software within the limits imposed by the production process.

Can I also order other guides with ExpertEase?
Yes. ExpertEase supports the complete range of guide systems by Materialise Dental.

What materials do I need for implant placement with ExpertEase?
You will need

• a surgical guide
• a sterile surgical kit with sharp drills
• sleeve-on-drill (drill attachments)
• implants

How can I ensure that the implant planning is transferred accurately to the mouth?
The best way of achieving the correct positioning is with the defined guidance of the drills with the sleeve-on-drill system in the sleeves of the surgical guide. The exact insertion depth of the implants is set by the defined distance of the sleeve and the depth stop on the drill. This distance is defined by the digital and therefore error-free transfer of the planning to the stereolithography process.

What do the abbreviations "ND" and "WD" mean in the sleeve-on-drill system?
You need ND (narrow-diameter) sleeves for XiVE S implants in diameters 3.0 mm, 3.4 mm and 3.8 mm and ANKYLOS C/X implants A. "WD" (wide-diameter) sleeves are needed for XiVE S D4.5 mm and ANKYLOS C/X B implants.

How are sleeve-on-drill sleeves supplied?
You can select either packages of ten sleeves the same diameter or packages for one drill sequence. This package contains one sleeve per diameter.

Is it necessary to consider the length of the implants when ordering sleeve-on-drill sleeves?
No. Sleeve-on-drill sleeves have no direct influence on the drilling depth. The surgical kit has special depth drills for every implant length.