Virtual Implant Treatment Planning Using the Existing Denture with Metal Frameworks As a Radiographic Guide: A Technique Note.

A radiographic guide can provide adequate visualization of proposed tooth position and prosthetic space, which is essential for the guided implant surgery. Many existing methods for fabricating radiographic guides involve duplicating the patient's existing denture or fabricating a new diagnostic template especially when the existing denture has metal framework, which may lead to strong metallic artifacts. This article describes a convenient and cost-effective technique for fabricating radiographic guide and aiding the design of implant surgical guide by using an existing denture with a metal framework and radiopaque and flowable composite resin in a single visit.