The future is here for patients and practitioners
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 30th November 2024
In August this year, the first fully-automated dental procedure, planned by artificial intelligence (AI) based on digital scans, and performed by a robot took place.[i] The phenomenon – achieved by US company, Perceptive – won’t have come as any surprise to those keeping an eye on innovation in dentistry. As the demand for fresh solutions continues to grow, AI, robotics, machine learning (ML)[ii] and the automation of processes is poised to play an increasingly significant role in various aspects of dentistry, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.
While the ethics and practicability of total automation will certainly continue to be debated, there’s no question that advancements in technology have brought increasingly complex procedures within reach of the average practice and patient. Staying abreast of technical developments has never been more important for practitioners, both to stay current, and to ensure they offer the best possible care to patients.
Guided surgery – a synthesis of digital processes
Guided surgery – used widely in implantology – is an excellent example of an effective synthesis of digital technologies to plan treatment effectively, improve patient communication, achieve more predictable surgical outcomes, reduce patient discomfort, and streamline the overall treatment process.[iii]
The insertion of dental implants is now a common procedure to treat edentulism, obtaining the most effective results in terms of aesthetics and function. The correct placement of implants is essential to achieve primary stability and facilitate osseointegration. During the diagnostic phase of implant treatment, the surgeon must have reliable data relating to bone quality, volume, and any anatomical restrictions.[iv] 3D diagnostic techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) provide an accurate view of the anatomical structures within the jaw.iv
Using surgical templates and computer-aided methods based on this data makes the entire process more accurate and predictable, and has been shown to reduce the chance of positioning errors when the implants are being placed.[v] Greater accuracy and speed makes the process less invasive than conventional techniques. Surgical operating times are greatly reduced, and fewer complications post-surgery are reported in patients.iv
Complexities around ridge dimensions, proximity to adjacent teeth, implant to root relationships, smile lines and implant angulations can present surgeons with difficult restorative decisions in anterior regions of the mouth. Guided surgery has been shown to be advantageous when approaching restorations in these areas.vi
Additionally, the planning process involved in guided surgery enables prosthetically driven implant placement. Foreknowledge of the impact of the planned restoration is critical for proper implant placement. The level of accuracy in surgical planning has made immediate placement and immediate loading of implants possible, and these protocols are now commonly performed.[vi]
Guided surgery is a perfect example of how virtual treatment plans not only provide the surgeon with vital data, but enable the clinician and patient to discuss options, risks and variables, with clear imagery to aid in decision-making and consent throughout the whole treatment process.
The future of digital dentistry
Total automation may be a distant ambition for some dentists, or a dystopian future to be avoided in the minds of others. However, many clinicians already embrace almost every element of the digital workflow used in the Perceptive example. Digital processes like 3D diagnostic imaging, intra-oral scanning, computer-aided assessment, treatment planning, restoration design and manufacturing, and surgical navigation guides, are all hugely improving outcomes for patients.[vii]
Additionally, the integration of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) into dental education and practice may revolutionise how dentists learn and perform procedures. These technologies can provide immersive training experiences, allowing dental professionals to practice guided surgery techniques in a risk-free environment.[viii]
Staying current in a constantly-changing environment
As technology promises to develop rapidly, it is vital for practising implantologists to remain current, learning from professionals who are at the forefront of providing life-changing treatments, using the latest innovations.
Ucer Education and ICE Postgraduate Dental Institute and Hospital/University of Salford offer just such opportunities. The Advanced Certificate in Full Mouth Oral Implant Rehabilitation is led by eminent specialist oral surgeon, Professor Cemal Ucer, who has over 30 years’ experience successfully treating complex cases. The course, aimed at experienced implant dentists wishing to implement the latest advances in the reconstruction of fully edentulous/atrophic single or dual arches, includes the latest diagnostic and surgical techniques, making full use of the digital tools now available.
Digital dentistry, particularly guided surgery, represents a significant advancement in the field of dentistry. By harnessing the power of digital technologies, dentists can improve the accuracy and efficiency of implant placement, leading to better outcomes for patients. While challenges remain, the ongoing evolution of digital dentistry promises to enhance the quality of care.
Please contact Professor Ucer at ucer@icedental.institute or Mel Hay at mel@mdic.co
01612 371842
Author: Professor Cemal Ucer (BDS, MSc, PhD, Oral Surgeon, ITI Fellow)
[i] Iacobcich S. Robot dentist completes ‘world’s first’ fully-automated dental procedure. NTN. August 2024. Available at: https://nationaltechnology.co.uk/Robot_dentist_completes_world_first_fully_automated_dental_procedure.php. Accessed August 2024
[ii] Chenxi Huang, Jiaji Wang, Shuihua Wang, Yudong Zhang, A review of deep learning in dentistry, Neurocomputing, Volume 554, 2023, ISSN 0925-2312, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neucom.2023.126629.
[iii] Sindhusha BV, Rajasekar A. A short review on guided implant surgery and its efficiency. Bioinformation. 2022 Sep 30;18(9):764-767. doi: 10.6026/97320630018764. PMID: 37426495; PMCID: PMC10326335.
[iv] Dioguardi M, Spirito F, Quarta C, Sovereto D, Basile E, Ballini A, Caloro GA, Troiano G, Lo Muzio L, Mastrangelo F. Guided Dental Implant Surgery: Systematic Review. J Clin Med. 2023 Feb 13;12(4):1490. doi: 10.3390/jcm12041490. PMID: 36836025; PMCID: PMC9967359.
[v] Arisan, V., Karabuda, C., Mumcu, E., Özdemir, T. Implant Positioning Errors in Freehand and Computer-aided Placement Methods: A Single-blind Clinical Comparative Study. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2013; 28(1): 190-204.
[vi] Orentlicher G, Abboud M. Guided surgery for implant therapy. Oral Maxillofacial Surg Clin N Am 23 (2011) 239–256 doi:10.1016/j.coms.2011.01.008
[vii] Dickenson A, Tebbutt J, Abdulhussein H. An overview of digital readiness in dentistry – are we ready? Br Dent J. 2022 Jul;233(2):87-88. doi: 10.1038/s41415-022-4449-6. Epub 2022 Jul 22. PMID: 35869202; PMCID: PMC9305051.
[viii] Dzyuba N, Jandu J, Yates J, Kushnerev E. Virtual and augmented reality in dental education: The good, the bad and the better. Eur J Dent Educ. 2022 Nov 6. doi: 10.1111/eje.12871. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36336847.
