Digital Implantology Glossary: Key Terms Explained Simply
Digital implantology brings surgery, prosthetics and CAD/CAM manufacturing into a single workflow. To plan cases confidently and work with scan body and abutment libraries, you need a shared understanding of the terminology. Below is a concise glossary of the concepts you will meet in every digital protocol — from the CBCT scan to the milled custom suprastructure.
Guided surgery
Guided surgery means placing an implant according to a position pre-planned in software, using a surgical guide. The plan is built on CBCT data and an STL scan of the arch: the clinician defines axis, depth and position of every implant based on the future crown (prosthetically driven planning).
A guide can be fully guided — controlling all drilling steps and implant insertion — or a pilot guide that only directs the initial pilot drill.
Sleeve and offset
A sleeve is a metal or ceramic tube integrated into the surgical guide. Drills and surgical keys pass through it. The inner diameter matches the keys of the chosen implant system (Straumann, Nobel, MIS, Dentium and others).
The offset (H-offset, sleeve offset) is the vertical distance from the bottom of the sleeve to the implant shoulder. It is set in the planning software and depends on the system: some manufacturers use fixed offsets (9, 11, 13 mm), others let the clinician choose. Any error in the offset translates directly to implant depth, so always verify the value against the system protocol when exporting the plan.
Implant platform
The platform is the top portion of the implant that connects to the abutment. It is defined by diameter (NP, RP, WP — narrow/regular/wide) and connection type: external hex, internal hex, Morse taper, Tri-Channel and others.
Platform switching means using an abutment narrower than the implant platform to preserve marginal bone and stabilise biologic width. When working with CAD libraries, always pick the file that exactly matches the platform and switching protocol.
Abutment
An abutment is the intermediate component between implant and crown. It can be stock, custom CAD/CAM, angled, multi-unit (for All-on-4/6 hybrid prostheses) or a Ti-base — a titanium foundation onto which a milled zirconia or lithium disilicate mesostructure is bonded.
Designing a custom abutment in exocad, 3Shape or DentalCAD requires the specific system library: it carries the connection geometry, screw channel and anti-rotation features. Using a non-original or incorrect library is a common cause of debonding and chipping.
DICOM and CBCT
CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) is the primary 3D imaging modality in implantology. The scan is saved in DICOM (.dcm) format — a medical imaging standard containing a series of slices and patient metadata.
Planning software (coDiagnostiX, Blue Sky Plan, R2Gate, implant Studio) aligns the DICOM series with the STL arch scan in a step called matching or registration. The accuracy of this alignment directly affects the precision of the surgical guide.
STL and the digital impression
STL (Stereolithography) is the universal 3D mesh format used to transfer models between scanner, CAD and mill/printer. In implantology, STL files come from intraoral scanners (Medit, 3Shape TRIOS, iTero, Aoralscan) or a desktop scanner of a plaster model.
For a digital impression of the implant position a scan body is used — a coded attachment screwed onto the implant. The software recognises it via the library and inserts the exact implant position into the STL. PLY and OBJ (with texture) are alternatives, but STL remains the industry standard.
Why this terminology matters
A shared language between surgeon, prosthodontist and technician reduces remakes and ordering mistakes. When platform, connection type, offset and library version are stated correctly, the lab gets a predictable result on the first iteration.
If you need help installing and configuring exocad, 3Shape, coDiagnostiX, Blue Sky Plan or sourcing up-to-date CAD libraries for implant systems — message us on Telegram or WhatsApp. We assist with any version of the software and plugins.