Augmented reality and dynamic navigation for dental implantology – A case report

Background

Dynamic navigation is one of the two computer-guided surgery techniques used in implantology. Many authors reported good results in terms of implant placement accuracy using different navigation systems. Augmented reality (AR) is employed in different surgical fields, although only few dentistry studies are available to date.

Aim/Hypothesis

To present clinical cases of implant placement using a dynamic navigation system associated with an augmented reality device and to report its accuracy.

Material and Methods

Two patients, both needing implant rehabilitation in the upper premolar area, were treated with flapless surgery. Each patient received one implant (WinSix, Ancona, Italy+ Straumann, Switzerland). In both cases, the use of AR glasses (Fifthingenium, Milan, Italy) displaying a dynamic navigation system (ImplaNav, BresMedical, Sydney, Australia) allowed the deployment of a computer-aided procedure. Accuracy using this procedure was evaluated measuring on CBCT the deviation between real and planned positions of the implants.

Results

The deviations for the first implant were 0.53 mm at the entry point and 0.50 mm at the apical point+ for the second implant were 0.46 mm at the entry point and 0.48 mm at the apical point. The angular deviations were respectively 3.05° and 2.19°. The use of AR glasses allowed the surgeon to have at the same time both the view of the surgical field and of the navigation system monitor displaying implant planning and virtual burs.

Conclusion and Clinical Implications

For both surgeries, it was possible to proceed using the AR technology as planned. The use of augmented reality applied to dynamic navigation led to accurate values of implant placement. The association of these two technologies seems to be promising in dental implantology. More studies are needed to confirm these results.