Brain Surgery Navigation Adapted for Dental ImplantsDental implants are being placed with greater accuracy with a new computer navigation system similar to that used by neurosurgeons to target tumors. Chicago periodontists Dr. George Mandelaris and Dr. Bradley DeGroot are pioneers in this technology.
By: Periodontal Medicine & Surgical Specialists, LTD "This technology takes dental implant surgery to an entirely new level," Dr. DeGroot said. "We are proud to be on the leading edge of dynamic surgical navigation as it is being introduced to the dental profession and the public. Never before has there been a way to verify and validate the positional accuracy of dental implants in real time. In the past, the only way to determine accuracy was to take another CT scan after implant placement and overlay that with planning software to evaluate axis deviations and angle discrepancies between planned and actual outcome. This technique, however, exposed patients to unnecessary radiation and could only be done after the surgery was over. Now the surgeon has so much more information to use during the procedure to ensure a level of precision, accuracy, and patient safety." Dr. Mandelaris explained that dental implant surgery has evolved over time. "Our office was one of the first to use cone beam computer tomography (CBCT)--a CAT scan of the mouth and jaws that provides three-dimensional images to evaluate jaw anatomy and safely plan dental implant surgery. We were ahead of the curve and using that technology when it was first available in the early 1990's. We also routinely use surgical guide stents," he said. A surgical stent is an acrylic device made from impressions of the patient's mouth with metal "sleeves" that help the surgeon place dental implants. Dr. Mandelaris explained that these guides "are more accurate than placing implants by hand, but they are expensive, burdensome, and do not give live feedback about the location of the dental implants." He emphasized that the new dynamic surgical navigation is state-of-the- Dr. DeGroot noted that by using dynamic surgical navigation for dental implant cases, surgeons can offer their patients many advantages. "This exciting new technology allows for minimally invasive procedures," The technology that Drs. Mandelaris and DeGroot are using is the Navident system manufactured by ClaroNav, Inc., headquartered in Toronto. "We are in a leadership position for this technology. We are key opinion leaders who provide the company with feedback to help them continually improve an already extraordinary product," Dr. Mandelaris said. Dr. Mandelaris also cautioned that the software does not take the place of the expertise, judgment or experience of the surgeon. "While we are always on the lookout for the best new technology to help our patients, there is no substitute for the skill, knowledge, and experience of the surgeon." Dr. Mandelaris and Dr. DeGroot are accepting new patients. For more information, please contact periodontalmedicine.org or call (630) 627-3930. Contact David Schwab, Ph.D. ***@me.com Photos: https://www.prlog.org/ https://www.prlog.org/ End
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