In some aspects, methods can include providing a top loading dental surgical guide including a dental drill guide positioning ring housed within the template material, the positioning ring including a body defining an inner surface and a retention element extending inwardly from the inner surface coupling the surgical guide to the region to be drilled temporarily engaging a drill guide within the positioning ring by axially coupling using the retention element, independently of a rotational motion of the drill guide relative to the positioning ring by engaging the retention element within a complementary recessed feature of the drill guide performing a drilling procedure with a drill guided by the drill guide and disengaging and removing the drill guide from the positioning ring.
