Correct inclination and depth of anchor pins

To stabilize the surgical template for implant insertion, anchor pins can be placed at strategic positions. Their inclination and depth are crucial.

The anchor pins can also serve as lip retractors during surgery. Anchor pins spread too widely within the arch could negatively affect mouth opening. A short-shaft version of the anchor pin is available to mitigate this effect. Nevertheless, the anchor pins should be planned so as to offer good access and should not interfere with the implant sites. 

The sleeves should be placed close to the mucosa, represented by the digitized surface model of the intraoral situation (about 0.5 to 1mm distance from) but should not interfere or collide with the above mentioned model when using a smart-fused surface scan.

For edentulous situations a minimum of four anchor pins is recommended. The anchor pin sleeves are positioned in the vestibulum entering extraorally, or in selected situations from the opposite direction (palatally or lingually), to lock the surgical template in place from two sides.

Anchor pins and radiographic guide (edentulous workflow)

When using a radiographic guide, the sleeve must be connected to the radiographic guide but must not protrude beyond its intaglio surface.

Anchor pins and dental scan (partially edentulous workflow)

When using a smart-fused surface scan, the sleeve must be placed close to the mucosa (0.5 to 1 mm distance from the mucosa, represented through the surface scan) but should not protrude beyond the smart-fused surface scan.