In search of the “latest technology” to help with his dental concerns, Arthur Marcum met with University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD) graduating fourth-year student Luis Mariusso to discuss his needs and ultimately receive a computer-aided dental implant.

UKCD is investing heavily in advanced technology in order to incorporate digital dentistry best practices into both student dentist courses and dental clinics—improving both student learning and experience and overall patient satisfaction with treatment outcomes. 

Feeding his passion for implantology and digital workflows, Mariusso decided to take part in an elective advanced implant course taught by Dr. Ahmad Kutkut during his last semester at UKCD. He recalls Kutkut sharing with students on the first day of the course that they were welcome to complete a computer-aided dental implant case should they be able to find an ideal patient. 

“Through my course, I cover many advanced implant technologies and techniques. Since Dean Kyrkanides’ arrival, and his vision for digital dentistry, I have invited students to take advantage of our new digital dentistry equipment, and clinically apply what we are learning through my course,” said Kutkut. 

Mariusso shares, “It was a goal during my fourth year, to place an implant…as soon as Dr. Kutkut shared that, I went into clinic and started looking for a patient...I was able to work on the whole case from start to finish.” 

Utilizing digital dentistry tools allows for enhanced precision, consistent quality, and minimized post-operative discomfort. Incorporating the use of digital dentistry tools also helps reduce the number of overall visits a patient must make to the dental clinic in order to complete their treatment.

From taking the necessary scans and X-rays to the day of surgery, Mariusso worked with UK Dentistry faculty and staff to prepare for Marcum’s surgery, collecting the necessary information in order to fabricate a surgical guide, 3D-printed on-site, to assist with placing the dental implant in the most desirable position. 

“We provided our patient with a predictable, efficient, and leading-edge treatment that not only benefitted him, but myself as a student,” adds Mariusso. 

Mariusso shared that planning an implant procedure on the computer prior to surgery and utilizing a surgery guide, especially when placing your first implant, offers a tremendous advantage as you are able to explain to the patient that you know exactly where everything will be placed and how it will look after treatment. 

“When you sit down to do the surgery…you know what issues you are going to have, where you are going to need to adjust…it gives the dentist a plan, especially for students…This is where the dental field is headed. Not a lot of schools are doing this….we’re among very, very few seniors in the country able to complete a case like this,” says Mariusso. 

Photo: L to R: UK Dentistry graduate Luis Mariusso with patient Arthur Marcum and Dr. Mohamed Rezk

UK Dentistry Clinic Information

Need a dental appointment? Click here to learn about our clinic options.