Establishment of a computer-guided dental implant system

OBJECTIVE: Computer-guided navigation has proven a valuable tool in several surgical disciplines. This study aimed to establish a computer-aided oral implantology system to optimize the implant surgery results and reduce complications. METHODS: On the basis of the visualization of the preoperative CT data of the patient's maxilla and mandible, the position and orientation of each implant, as well as the size and type of the implant is clinically planned via the 3D surgical planning module. Then, the treatment plan including the location information of the implants in pre-operative image coordinate system is transferred to the patient using a dental navigation system through registration method and intra-operative tracking system (Polaris, NDI Inc./CA). RESULTS: A computer-aided oral implantology system including the framework, modeling, preoperative 3D planning, registration method, optical tracking systems and real-time navigation is established in this study. CONCLUSIONS: With the support of this system, the precision achieved in the planning phase can be transferred to the patient. During oral implant placement, its application is intended to accomplish optimal implant localization and to reduce the risk of damage to adjacent structures.