TrueLine Blog
Guided surgery,
backed by evidence.
Evidence reviews and practical digital-workflow guides for implant clinicians — written by an oral & maxillofacial surgeon, referenced to peer-reviewed literature.
Evidence Review · Case Selection
Tooth-, Tissue- or Bone-Supported? Choosing the Right Surgical Guide Type
Bone-supported feels like the most direct reference — and it's the least accurate of the three. Meta-analytic accuracy by support tissue, how many teeth a guide actually needs, and a case-by-case selection table.
Cost Analysis · Practice Economics
What Does a Surgical Guide Really Cost? In-House 3D Printing vs. Outsourcing
Resin is the cheapest line on the invoice. The full per-guide math — equipment amortization, software, design time, failed prints — with a worked example at 4 guides/month and the break-even nobody quotes.
How-To · Digital Workflow
How to Export DICOM from Your CBCT for Surgical Guide Design
One in five cases needs a re-export before planning can start — and it's never the scan's fault. The multi-slice series your designer needs, vendor quick-notes, and the 5 mistakes that delay cases.
Evidence Review
Guided vs. Freehand Implant Placement: What the Evidence Actually Shows
Meta-analyses of 2,200+ implants put static guides at 1.2 mm entry / 1.4 mm apex / 3.5° — and RCTs show 4.41° less angular error than freehand. The numbers, the honest caveats, and what they mean chairside.