Profile surgical template: a systematic approach to precise implant placement. A technical note.

The precise placement of dental implants is essential to designing a prosthesis that fulfills the esthetic and functional requirements of the patient, and simultaneously allows clear phonetics and facilitates oral hygiene. To achieve this, an effective surgical template is essential: it must provide good orientation, be comfortable, have adequate intraoral fixation, allow freedom of choice to the surgeon, and be capable of use during image-diagnostic procedures. In accordance with this criteria, the profile surgical template, based on utilization of the buccal contour of missing teeth, has been designed.