Surgical Guide Stents: Which CDT Code to Use?

No- it is not required. Typically they are used on multi-implant cases but the use of a surgical guide is at the discretion of the surgeon. The surgical template is used to ensure predictable implant placement. Ideal implant placement has two critical considerations. First, the implant must be placed in an ideal clinical position at it relates to the patients bone (quality and quantity). Just about every dental specialist placing implants today, whether using a guide or not, does a pretty good job at this first important consideration. The second consideration is about how the implant will be positioned in relation to the restorative objective. This is where the guide becomes most useful. A surgical template ensures that the implant is placed exactly where it was planned for the bone and at the exact angle necessary to achieve the restorative goal of the patient and general dentist. Electing to not use a surgical guide ensures a less than ideal placement for the restorative considerations. Free-handing implant placement takes a scientific and precise surgery and turns it into a "best-effort" procedure. I guarantee you that surgeons say to themselves "that should be good enough" when they are done placing an implant without a guide. The surgeons who use surgical guides get to say "that's perfect" when they are done placing an implant. Most labs charge between $150 and $300 for a 2mm pilot hole surgical template with metal drill stops. In California, the average insurance company reimburses about $250. Surgical templates ensure perfect implant placement every time. As to why a surgeon elects not to use a surgical guide...well we can only speculate. To be sure it is not a good reflection upon the surgeon. I can tell you this, every general dentist who refers out implant cases has had the terrible experience of trying to restore a case with a crappy implant placement. It happens all the time and by that I mean...we see it every day.