Patent ID: 8459991

Claim:
A method for placing an oral implant, comprising the steps of: sizing and shaping a first portion and a separate, selectably detachable second portion of a surgical stent to conform to an occlusion comprising a select region of mandible and maxilla of a patient's mouth, wherein a post embedded in the first portion extends into the second portion; embedding a generally cylindrical transfer band in the first surgical stent portion, the transfer band having first and second opposing generally planar ends and an opening extending between the ends, the opening including a chamfer proximate the second end; providing a transfer drill having a chamfered shank portion sized and shaped to be slidably received by the opening of the transfer band; positioning the surgical stent in the patient's mouth in conformance with the occlusion and securing the surgical stent, the second planar end of the transfer band being adjacent the region of the patient's mouth selected for the installation of a dental implant; detaching the second surgical stent portion after the first surgical stent portion is secured; rotating and slidably inserting the transfer drill into the opening of the transfer band to drill an aperture in the region of the patient's mouth selected for the installation of a dental implant; the location, orientation and depth of the aperture being controlled by the shank of the transfer drill in cooperation with the opening of the transfer band, the chamfer of the shank of the transfer drill meeting the chamfer of the transfer band at a predetermined depth; and installing an implant into the aperture at the predetermined location, orientation and depth.