Use of transitional implants to support a surgical guide: enhancing the accuracy of implant placement.

Surgical guides for edentulous patients often lack the stability desired for accurate implant placement. The difficulty is emphasized in the edentulous mandible when implant-supported metal-ceramic restorations, which require precise placement of implants, are planned. A technique is presented for the fabrication of a surgical and radiographic template, supported by transitional implants, that guides the placement of conventional implants. This template can enhance placement accuracy in an efficient way to achieve predictable, esthetic results.