Computer-Guided Dental Implants in Markham
3D CBCT imaging and computer-guided surgical stents let us decide each implant position before surgery begins, and then follow that plan in the mouth rather than judging it freehand.
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Complimentary · No obligation · Markham office
Planned in 3D. Placed with precision.
Traditional implant placement relies on the surgeon's judgement and two-dimensional X-rays. Computer-guided surgery uses a full 3D CBCT scan of your jaw to create a virtual surgical plan — mapping the exact angle, depth, and position of each implant before a single incision is made.
A custom surgical stent is then fabricated from that plan. During surgery, the stent guides the drill to the pre-planned position with precision that freehand technique cannot replicate. The result is less bone removal, reduced swelling, and a faster return to normal activity.
The advantages of computer-guided placement
Guided placement
The surgical stent transfers the virtual plan directly to your jaw, placing implants within fractions of a millimetre of the planned position.
Minimally invasive
Precise planning means less bone needs to be removed and, in many cases, no sutures are required — reducing post-operative discomfort.
A smaller procedure
Most people can be treated without lifting a flap of gum, which means less swelling and less pain in the first few days. The bone still takes the same time to heal.
Safer near vital structures
3D mapping identifies nerves, sinuses, and blood vessels before surgery, allowing the team to plan a safe path around them.
Predictable outcomes
When the implant is placed exactly where planned, the crown fits precisely and long-term bone integration is more reliable.
Same-day teeth compatible
Guided placement is often required for same-day or immediate-load protocols, where the temporary crown is attached the same day as surgery.
What the research shows
We checked that experience against published studies, including large reviews that pooled dozens of trials. Here is what they show, and where the evidence is still limited.
Accuracy: strong evidence
Reviews of randomized trials find that guided placement puts implants much closer to the planned position than freehand placement. The angle is typically within about 3 degrees of the plan with a guide, compared with 7 to 10 degrees by hand, and the tip of the implant lands about 1 mm closer to where it was planned. In one trial, every implant placed with full guidance could be restored with the planned screw-retained crown, which is easier to maintain, compared with about four in five placed freehand.
A smaller procedure: good evidence
Because we know exactly where the implant will go, many patients can be treated without lifting a flap of gum. In studies, this “flapless” approach shortened surgery by about 24 minutes in full-arch cases and meant less pain and fewer pain tablets in the first few days. This benefit comes from avoiding the cut; the guide is what makes that safe to do.
The first few days: good evidence, with limits
Most patients treated this way report less pain and use fewer pain pills in the first one to three days than patients who have conventional flap surgery. After that, the two approaches are similar. The bone still needs the same time to heal around the implant, so your overall treatment timeline does not change.
Bleeding and swelling: some evidence
With no cut and no flap, bleeding during and after the procedure is usually minimal, and most patients have less swelling. These findings come from smaller studies and vary from person to person.
Infection: no difference shown
Studies have not shown that guided surgery changes the chance of infection. We take the same care to prevent infection with every approach.
Long-term success
In published studies of guided full-arch treatment, about 97 in 100 implants were still working after one year, and 94 to 98 in 100 after five to ten years — similar to implants placed with conventional surgery. Guided surgery changes how the procedure feels, not how long implants last.
Where the figures on this page come from
Every number quoted above is drawn from the published studies below. Where the evidence is limited or shows no difference, this page says so.
- Tattan M and colleagues (2020), Clinical Oral Implants Research 31:889–916. Meta-analysis of randomized trials: guided placement reduced angular deviation by 4.4° and apical deviation by 1.1 mm versus freehand. Read the study.
- Wu Y and colleagues (2025), International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants. Network meta-analysis of 21 randomized trials reproducing those figures independently. Read the study.
- Younes F and colleagues (2018), Journal of Clinical Periodontology 45:721–732. Planned screw-retained restorations were achieved in all fully guided implants and in about four in five placed freehand. Read the study.
- Romandini M and colleagues (2023), Periodontology 2000 91:89–112. Individual-patient meta-analysis: flapless guided surgery was about 24 minutes shorter, with less early pain. Also the source of the 7 in 100 figure for protocols that could not be completed as planned. Read the study.
- Arisan V and colleagues (2010), Clinical Oral Implants Research 21:980–988. Full-arch surgery took about 23 minutes flapless and guided versus about 69 minutes open-flap, with fewer painkillers taken. Read the study.
- Chrcanovic BR and colleagues (2014), PLoS ONE 9:e100624. Pooled infection risk was no different between guided and conventional surgery. Read the study.
- Aghaloo T and colleagues (2023); Moraschini V and colleagues (2015), Systematic reviews. Implant survival of about 97 in 100 at one year in guided full-arch cases. Read the study.
- Tahmaseb A and colleagues (2018), Clinical Oral Implants Research 29(S16):416–435. ITI consensus review; the basis for planning a safety margin of at least 2 mm even with a guide. Read the study.
From scan to smile — how it works
3D CBCT scan
A cone-beam CT scan captures a full 3D image of your jaw, teeth, bone density, and anatomy in under a minute.
Virtual planning
Our team uses specialist software to plan the exact position, angle, and depth of each implant in three dimensions.
Surgical stent fabrication
A custom-fit surgical guide is produced from the virtual plan, ensuring the drill follows the planned path precisely during surgery.
Guided placement
The stent is seated over your teeth or gums during surgery. The implant is placed through the guide to the pre-planned position.
Computer-Guided Implant FAQs
Is computer-guided implant surgery more expensive?
Guided surgery involves additional planning time and stent fabrication, which may add to the overall cost. However, the improved accuracy reduces the risk of complications and revision procedures, which can offset the difference. Your itemised quote will include all components.
Does everyone need computer-guided surgery?
Not necessarily. Guided surgery is most beneficial for complex cases — multiple implants, limited bone, proximity to nerves or sinuses, or same-day teeth protocols. Your surgeon will recommend the approach best suited to your anatomy.
Is the procedure still done under local anaesthetic?
Yes. Local anaesthetic is used for all implant placements. IV sedation is also available for patients who prefer to be deeply relaxed throughout the procedure.
How long does recovery take with guided surgery?
Most patients experience mild swelling and tenderness for 2–4 days. Because guided surgery is minimally invasive, recovery is typically shorter than with conventional freehand placement.
Can I have same-day teeth with guided surgery?
In many cases, yes. Guided placement is a prerequisite for immediate-load protocols where a temporary fixed bridge is attached the same day as implant surgery. Candidacy depends on bone quality and the number of implants placed.
Request a complimentary implant consultation
Our team will review your 3D CBCT scan and explain whether computer-guided surgery is right for your case — with no obligation.
4792 Highway 7 E, Markham, ON L3R 1M8
Request an Implant Consultation
Complimentary · No obligation · Markham office