The use of radiopaque templates for predictable implant placement.

The functional and esthetic needs of the patient who is to receive an implant-retained prosthesis can be established with the help of a provisional restoration that is duplicated in a radiopaque radiographic template. The computer tomogram prepared with the aid of the template allows the evaluation of the implant sites in relation to the outline of the planned restoration. The radiographic template is converted into the surgical template, which contains information regarding the optimal position and angulation of implants. Because the surgical template is a modification of the radiographic template, which rests rigidly on the teeth during all procedures, implant placement is more predictable.