The original EZ Stent® for pilot-drilling is the first and only thermoplastic surgical template that allows fabrication of an accurate surgical guide in minutes using hot water alone. The template has a titanium drill sleeve with inner diameter 2.3mm that is compatible with the pilot drill of most dental implant systems.
EZ Stent Demonstration Video
EZ Stent Features
EZ Stent Benefits
EZ Stent Clincal Cases
EZ Stent Clinical Case #1: Cone Beam CT Application by Brian Tang, DDS, MCD.
Dr. Brian Tang, received his BAS with distinction from Stanford University and his DDS from the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Tang also received a Master degree in Prosthodontics with distinction at the University of London (UK). Dr. Tang holds six US patents in the field of Prosthetic Dentistry. He is also the inventor of EZ Stent
Patient missing tooth #20.
Mark the point of entry on the cast model of patient.
Fabricate surgical template on cast model per instructions.
Place the template into oral cavity and verify for stability & retention. Take a pre-operative radiograph for evaluation.
The titanium drill sleeve (L10.0mm) can be used as a radiographic marker on Cone Beam CT to verify that the positioning & angulations of template are appropriate.
Expose and prepare the osseous site with a pilot drill using the template as a guide.
Remove the template and enlarge the osteotomy with successively larger drills, using the prepared pilot holes as a guide for angulations and depth. Use carrier to insert implant fixture.
Endosseous implant inserted into the prepared site with healing cap placed.
Radiograph confirms complete insertion of implant fixture into prepared site.
Post-operative Cone Bean CT indicates placement of implant fixture in an ideal position.
Abutment attached to the implant fixture after osseointegration.
Radiograph confirms abutment is fully seated on the implant fixture.
Final placement of crown #20.
Post-operative radiograph of restored tooth #20.
EZ Stent Clinical Case #2: Clinical Case Free-End Placement by Brian Tang, DDS, MCD.
Patient missing tooth #19.
Mark the point of entry on the cast model.
Survey and prepare the model using the Ø2.3mm drill bit with a drill press. Then, insert a Ø2.3mm X 20 mm guide pin halfway into prepared site to get an ideal drilling trajectory.
Soften the template in hot water above 140°F (60°C) for about a minute until it just turns transparent and malleable. Be careful of hot water, use tweezers.
Slide the template over the secured guide pin and conform its softened base to the teeth adjacent to the edentulous ridge.
Allow template to cool down until it turns opaque and hard. Remove it from model and cold sterilize it in an appropriate disinfectant (do not autoclave).
Place the template in the oral cavity and verify for stability retention. Take a pre-operative radiograph for evaluation.
Pre-operative Cone Beam CT indicates positioning & angulations of template are appropriate.
Expose and prepare the osseous site with a pilot drill using the template as a guide.
Place a depth gauge to reconfirm angulations and depth.
"EZ Stent is very simple to use and provides a predictable initial osteotomy with a 2.0mm drill when a lab fabricated surgical stent is not indicated. It is a cost effective and clinically effective way to pre-plan a case without the expense and hassle of a traditional surgical guide."
Steven O'Neal, DDS
General Dentist, Tyler, TX (Posted on 4/6/2017)
"The EZ Stent has become an integral part of my everyday dental implant treatment planning. It is so simple to use that I have integrated EZ Stent into our continuing education efforts with our referring doctors. Anyone can use it and benefit from the added security and communication with their surgical colleagues. Thanks, guys, for a phenomenal product."
Eduardo R. Lorenzana, DDS, MS (Posted on 4/6/2017)
"Very convenient to fabricate the surgical guide to determine ideal angulation and positioning of implant angulation."
Savithri P. Ravindran, DDA
General Dentist, Arcadia, CA (Posted on 4/6/2017)
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A: In general, the hotter the water, the faster the stent will turn soft and clear. The water should be at least 140°F (60°C). Hotter water will not overheat the thermoplastic base. Tips: Use a hemostat to hold the metal sleeve and immerse the stent upside down in hot water. Always use a glass container because the thermoplastic material will stick to the plastic container when it is softened.
A: Due to a slight flexibility of the thermoplastic base material, usually we do not need to block out the undercuts on the model. Simply apply a thin coating of Vaseline on the model prior to molding the stent.
A: We recommend securing the model on a survey table, then prepare the drill hole in the model using a drill press (available from any hardware store). Free-handed drilling using a straight nose cone handpiece can also be done.
The shorter titanium drill sleeve (L 6.0mm) of the Multiple Teeth Set is designed to accommodate patient with limited intra-oral access.
Alternatively, the surgeon can insert the surgical drill halfway into the metal sleeves before transferring the whole assembly into the mouth, so that the patient does not need to open as wide during EZ Stent insertion and usage.
EZ Stent does provide precise drill depth control with our new silicone stoppers. Simply trim a silicone stopper to the appropriate length based on scan measurement, and insert it over the pilot drill. IMPORTANT: Make sure the stopper is seated all the way onto the handpiece head to prevent push-back during surgery.(see instructions of the drill stopper here)
The drill depth can be determined by measuring the distance from the top of the titanium sleeve to the intended base of the implant fixture on the pre-operative CT scan. (see sample image below)
If necessary, EZ Stent can be easily adjusted after X-ray or CT scan evaluation. Simply re-drill the hole in the same study model and secure the guide pin in a different angulation. Then soften the same stent again in hot water and mold it over the re-angled pin. The thermoplastic base of EZ Stent can be re-heated 2-3 times for minor adjustment on the model without deterioration.
A: The titanium drill sleeve of EZ Stent (L10.0mm or 6.0mm) can be used as a radiographic marker on Cone Beam CT to verify that the positioning and angulation of the template are appropriate prior to surgery. Unlike stainless steel, our titanium sleeve has no radiation scattering in the scan, so you get a precise image. (See the Clinical Case on this page).
A: EZ Stent is designed to provide point of entry, depth and angulation control for all implant systems. The titanium drill sleeve of EZ Stent (inner Ø 2.3mm) is compatible with the pilot drill of most dental implant systems. We also offer a high-quality Ø2.3mm surgical drill that can be used to substitute the pilot drill of any other brand. Our pilot surgical drills are sold separately.