Method for making and using a template for locating a dental implant and components relating thereto

A method of using a template for locating a dental implant osteotomy in an edentulous space of a patient's mandible or maxilla, comprising the step of:

• aligning a template having an impression of the edentulous space and a portion of the patient's teeth adjacent thereto with a portion of the patient's mandible or maxilla corresponding to the impression, wherein the template includes at least one sleeve, having a longitudinal gap, a top surface and a bottom surface, embedded therein.

An apparatus used in forming a template for locating a dental implant osteotomy in a patient's mandible or maxilla, comprising:

• a guide post having a curved outer surface and a predetermined diameter;
• and
• a sleeve having a sidewall that includes a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer annular surface, an inner annular surface generally corresponding to the curved outer surface of the guide post, the sleeve having a longitudinal gap extending all the way through the sidewall of the sleeve from the inner annular surface to the outer annular surface of the sidewall and all the through the sidewall from the top surface to the bottom surface, and a diameter greater than the diameter of the guide post, wherein the sleeve is attached to the guide post.

An improved template for locating a dental implant osteotomy in a patient's mandible or maxilla having an edentulous space comprising:

• a cured, resinous base having an impression of the patient's mandible or maxilla including the edentulous space;
• a sleeve at least partially embedded in the base in a position and at an angle corresponding to the desired position and angle of the osteotomy, wherein the sleeve includes a predetermined diameter, a top surface a bottom surface, and a longitudinal gap extending through the top surface and towards the bottom surface, wherein the longitudinal gap is large enough to receive a drill bit for making the osteotomy.