Computer assisted insertion of dental implants

We are introducing a method that combines a pre-operative 3D plan for inserting dental implants with a dental navigation system. The method is based on the visualization of the CT data of the patient's maxilla and mandible. The position and orientation of each implant is clinically planned using the CT data set as well as the size and type of the implant. The treatment plan supplies the location of the implants in the patient's coordinates and transferred to the patient using a dental navigation system (DenX's, IGI System). The system 'assists' the dentist during the pre-operative planning and also during the intra-operative procedure, while the optimal treatment plan is applied directly to the patient. A PC based software, IGI allows for simulation, visualization, and planning the surgical intervention. The system was tested in Israel at the company site as a prototype and will be installed at the University Hospital of Heidelberg for further evaluation and experience until it will be used for clinical application during the middle of 2002. Keywords: computer assisted implantology