A method of making a patient specific orthopedic implant (100; 200; 300) using a computing device running a computer-aided design software program, the method comprising: obtaining a virtual three-dimensional model of a tissue body; and designing a virtual three-dimensional model of an orthopedic implant (100; 200; 300) that includes an implant body (104; 204; 304) such that 1) the virtual three-dimensional model of the orthopedic implant (100; 200; 300) defines an inner implant surface that is contoured to fit over a particular portion of the virtual three-dimensional model of the tissue body and a thickness axis that is perpendicular to the inner implant surface, and 2) the implant body (104; 204; 304) includes at least one hole (106; 206; 306) that extends through the implant body (104; 204; 304) along a hole axis that is angled with respect to the thickness axis so as to prevent a virtual, three dimensional model of a fastener extending through the at least one hole (106; 206; 306) from extending into a predetermined section of the virtual three-dimensional model of the tissue body; characterized by the steps of manipulating, via the software program, the virtual three-dimensional model of the orthopedic implant (100; 200; 300) to fit over the particular portion of the virtual three-dimensional model of the tissue body; and inserting, via the software program, the virtual three-dimensional model of the fastener at least partially into the at least one hole (106; 206; 306) of the implant body (104; 204; 304) so that the inserted virtual three-dimensional model of the fastener does not extend into the predetermined section of the virtual three-dimensional model of the tissue body, wherein the predetermined section includes a model of a nerve, a tooth, or hardware. obtaining a virtual three-dimensional model of a tissue body; and designing a virtual three-dimensional model of an orthopedic implant (100; 200; 300) that includes an implant body (104; 204; 304) such that 1) the virtual three-dimensional model of the orthopedic implant (100; 200; 300) defines an inner implant surface that is contoured to fit over a particular portion of the virtual three-dimensional model of the tissue body and a thickness axis that is perpendicular to the inner implant surface, and 2) the implant body (104; 204; 304) includes at least one hole (106; 206; 306) that extends through the implant body (104; 204; 304) along a hole axis that is angled with respect to the thickness axis so as to prevent a virtual, three dimensional model of a fastener extending through the at least one hole (106; 206; 306) from extending into a predetermined section of the virtual three-dimensional model of the tissue body; characterized by the steps of manipulating, via the software program, the virtual three-dimensional model of the orthopedic implant (100; 200; 300) to fit over the particular portion of the virtual three-dimensional model of the tissue body; and inserting, via the software program, the virtual three-dimensional model of the fastener at least partially into the at least one hole (106; 206; 306) of the implant body (104; 204; 304) so that the inserted virtual three-dimensional model of the fastener does not extend into the predetermined section of the virtual three-dimensional model of the tissue body, wherein the predetermined section includes a model of a nerve, a tooth, or hardware.