New technology means greater accuracy in dental implants
The VCU School of Dentistry is on the cutting edge of technology as one of the first universities in the world to utilize image guided navigation software designed to achieve the highest level of accuracy during dental implant placement.
Image Guided Implantology, or IGI, presents a major breakthrough in dentistry making dental implants much safer and more accurate. “It’s like the advent of cell phones or GPS systems – IGI will completely change the way we approach implants,” said Dr. Uri Sonenfeld of Image Navigation, the creators of IGI.
IGI acts as a GPS system for placing an implant. Rather than relying solely on X-rays and intuition, dentists now may use the computer to assist them. Users look at the computer screen as a guide to where to drill in addition to looking at the patients themselves. Dr. Sonenfeld noted, “The old way was going in blind, but now we can use the computer as a resource, like the way a pilot uses navigation systems to control a plane.”
“IGI will aid us in placing implants with a degree of precision and accuracy which we have never seen to-date in the field of dentistry,” added Dr. Chris Durham, Chief Resident in the VCU Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. “The main benefit to the patient is a decreased risk of damage to vital structures (i.e. inferior alveolar nerve) and more ideal restorative positions.”
Dr. Jason Streem, Chief Resident in the VCU Department of Periodontics, noted, “With guided surgery become more and more accepted, IGI will further advance the level of precision in dental implants.” He continued, “Once you have the basic implant placement skills, this technology will come in handy – especially in sites that are a tight squeeze for the new implant.”
Within the VCU School of Dentistry, IGI will be used in the Graduate Periodontics and Oral Surgery Clinics, where residents will be the primary users. The residents in both departments already have completed the training process with the software, and it takes about three months to perfect the new technique.
“Training for the IGI system has been straightforward because the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery already has used similar technology in the operating room,” said Dr. Durham. “The transition from the operating room to the clinic has been rather seamless, and this system is actually easier to use.”
The purveyor of the technology, Image Navigation, has been in business since 1994 creating dental technology solutions. The VCU School of Dentistry also uses Image Navigation’s first product, DentSim, as a learning tool for dental students and for continuing education. DentSim technology gives users real-time feedback through an advanced software program that monitors users’ activity. The IGI software can be used in the DentSim laboratory to train dental students as well.
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