Tissue Supported Surgical Guides
Soft tissue supported surgical guidance for edentulous implant cases.
Designed from an existing or new full denture, tissue supported guides derive their primary support and retention from the patient’s intraoral soft tissues and mucosa. A dual scan protocol captures the denture in relation to the patient’s tissues for digital implant planning.
Soft tissue and mucosa
Any number of sites
All guided kits
Edentulous dual scan cases
Designed around the patient’s soft tissues
Tissue supported surgical guides derive their primary support and retention from the intraoral soft tissues and mucosa. They are commonly fabricated from an existing removable prosthesis, preserving the established tissue relationships and a prosthetic design the patient already tolerates.
The dual scan protocol includes one scan of the patient wearing the denture or scan appliance in occlusion and a second scan of the appliance by itself. Together, these records capture the relationship between the soft tissues, prosthesis and underlying anatomy.
Tissue supported guides can accommodate any number of implant sites and can be designed for any implant system.
Suitable for:
- Edentulous cases where the guide is based on a dual scan
- Cases using an existing or new full denture as the scan appliance
- Patients with good-quality mucosa and a well-fitting denture
- Cases requiring any number of implant sites
- All guided kits and implant systems
What we need to plan your case
A tissue supported guide requires a dual scan: one scan of the patient wearing the denture or scan appliance in occlusion, followed by a separate scan of the appliance by itself.
Full denture or scan appliance
A well-fitting existing denture or acrylic duplicate that fits intimately against the tissues and contains no metal.
Dual scan and DICOM files
A scan of the patient wearing the appliance in occlusion and a separate scan of the appliance by itself, with all DICOM data supplied.
Implant system and guided kit
Details of the selected implant system and relevant guided kit.
Planning a tissue supported guide
Accuracy and mucosal movement
Tissue supported guides are the least accurate option in the surgical guide portfolio. Pressure during surgery and the natural resilience of the mucosa may cause movement that affects placement precision.
Guide stability and fixation
Confirm a full seat through the guide window, where present. Use fixation pins where included and hold the guide firmly in position throughout drilling.
Denture fit and scan accuracy
A poor-fitting denture or movement during scanning can introduce errors. The scan appliance must fit intimately against the tissues and remain unchanged between both scans.
Clinical workflow
Follow the supplied drill report and the protocols for the selected guided kit and implant system alongside these steps.
Inspect the guide
Inspect the guide for the correct implant site positions, design and sizing for the intended instrumentation.
Seat and stabilise the guide
Seat the guide securely on the tissue surface and verify a full seat through a window, if present. If the guide rocks, adjust it where possible. If a full seat cannot be achieved, begin again with new records. Where fixation pins are included, hold the guide firmly, drill the buccal holes and place the pins through the guide. Without fixation screws or pins, hold the guide firmly in position.
Complete the osteotomies and place the implants
Drill the osteotomies to completion following the supplied drill report and the protocols for the guided kit and implant system. If the fully guided kit permits implant placement through the guide, proceed accordingly. Otherwise, remove the guide before placing the implants.
Complete the procedure
Complete the required bone and tissue procedures to finish the surgery.
Tissue supported guide FAQs
Practical information about guide support, dual scanning, implant compatibility and clinical use.
When is a tissue supported surgical guide suitable?
Tissue supported guides are intended primarily for edentulous cases where a well-fitting existing or new full denture can be used as a scan appliance and the guide can be planned from a dual scan.
What is the dual scan protocol?
The dual scan protocol includes one scan of the patient wearing the denture or scan appliance in occlusion and a second scan of the appliance by itself. All DICOM data from both scans is then supplied for planning.
How many implant sites can be included?
A tissue supported surgical guide can accommodate any number of implant sites.
Can the guide be designed for my implant system?
Yes. Quoris3D can design a tissue supported surgical guide for any implant system. Provide the selected implant system and relevant guided kit when submitting your case.
What patient records are required?
Provide a well-fitting full denture or scan appliance, both stages of the dual scan, all DICOM data, and details of the selected implant system and relevant guided kit.
What should I check before using the guide?
Confirm that the guide seats fully on the tissue surface without rocking. If a full seat cannot be achieved, do not proceed; begin again with new records.
Ready to submit your case?
Start your tissue supported surgical guide case or contact our team to discuss your patient’s clinical requirements.
