In the previous article I talked about impressioning and fabrication of the silicon model for CERECguide fabrication.  Now lets take a look at forming the thermal plastic stent.   

The thermal plastic needs to be heated in a glass or metal bowl, don’t use your rubber mixing bowls the material sticks to it and ruins them, ask me how I know.  I have an instant hot water line in my lab you can also microwave the water, just not in the metal bowl.  Once the material is placed in the hot water it becomes translucent and malleable.  At this time remove it carefully and adapt it to your model.  Cover at least a tooth and half mesial and half a tooth or more if possible to the distal.  This provides stability for the stent during surgery.  When you do this make sure to end the material where you can see how it engages the model both mesial and distal. 

This allows you to verify in the patients mouth if the stent is seated completely.   

Next I will discuss placement of the radiographic reference.