Computer-aided operation planning and 3-dimensional osteotomy guidance for alveolar distraction

Objectives: In alveolar distraction, in cases of severe atrophy in particular, it is often difficult to perform osteotomies in order to make a transport segment in optimal size and shape. Moreover care must be taken, not to damage the closely locating anato- mical structures such as the maxillary sinus, the inferior alveolar nerve, and the roots of the neighboring teeth. For setting ideal osteotomy lines exactly, we have developed a CT-based preoperative planning tool. Methods: 3-dimensional visual reconstruction of the jaw is created from the preoperative CT scans (1.0-mm slice thick- ness). Using the image-processing software Mimics (Materialise, Yokohama, Japan), various procedures of virtual cutting are simulated first to determine optimal osteotomy lines and to design an ideal transport segment. After the computer planning, data from the virtual solid model are transferred to a rapid prototype model, and a guiding splint is made to transfer the planned surgical simulation to the actual surgery. Results: The method was used in a case of severe atrophy of the anterior maxilla. The patient had a large maxillary sinus requir- ing a precise osteotomy in this critical area. Using the splint allowing a 3-dimensional guidance, alveolar osteotomies were easily done to achieve a transport segment in sufficient dimen- sion as planned, and any perforation of the maxillary sinus could be avoided. Finally the alveolar distraction of 10mm has suc- cessfully been performed. Conclusion: The preoperative planning method and the guiding splint described here are useful in problematic cases requiring an extremely precise osteotomy due to lack of bony space.

High-resolution computer simulations of EKC

The electrophoresis simulation software, GENTRANS, has been modified to include the interaction of analytes with an electrolyte additive to allow the simulation of liquid-phase EKC separations. The modifications account for interaction of weak and strong acid and base analytes with a single weak or strong acid or base background electrolyte additive and can be used to simulate a range of EKC separations with both charged and neutral additives. Simulations of separations of alkylphenyl ketones under real experimental conditions were performed using mobility and interaction constant data obtained from the literature and agreed well with experimental separations. Migration times in fused-silica capillaries and linear polyacrylamide-coated capillaries were within 7% of the experimental values, while peak widths were always narrower than the experimental values, but were still within 50% of those obtained by experiment. Simulations of sweeping were also performed; although migration time agreement was not as good as for simple EKC separations, peak widths were in good agreement, being within 1-50% of the experimental values. All simulations for comparison with experimental data were performed under real experimental conditions using a 47 cm capillary and a voltage of 20 kV and represent the first quantitative attempt at simulating EKC separations with and without sweeping.

Computer technology applications in surgical implant dentistry: a systematic review

PURPOSE: To assess the literature on accuracy and clinical performance of computer technology applications in surgical implant dentistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic and manual literature searches were conducted to collect information about (1) the accuracy and (2) clinical performance of computer-assisted implant systems. Meta-regression analysis was performed for summarizing the accuracy studies. Failure/complication rates were analyzed using random-effects Poisson regression models to obtain summary estimates of 12-month proportions. RESULTS: Twenty-nine different image guidance systems were included. From 2,827 articles, 13 clinical and 19 accuracy studies were included in this systematic review. The meta-analysis of the accuracy (19 clinical and preclinical studies) revealed a total mean error of 0.74 mm (maximum of 4.5 mm) at the entry point in the bone and 0.85 mm at the apex (maximum of 7.1 mm). For the 5 included clinical studies (total of 506 implants) using computer-assisted implant dentistry, the mean failure rate was 3.36% (0% to 8.45%) after an observation period of at least 12 months. In 4.6% of the treated cases, intraoperative complications were reported; these included limited interocclusal distances to perform guided implant placement, limited primary implant stability, or need for additional grafting procedures. CONCLUSION: Differing levels and quantity of evidence were available for computer-assisted implant placement, revealing high implant survival rates after only 12 months of observation in different indications and a reasonable level of accuracy. However, future long-term clinical data are necessary to identify clinical indications and to justify additional radiation doses, effort, and costs associated with computer-assisted implant surgery.

A systematic review on the accuracy and the clinical outcome of computer-guided template-based implant dentistry

Introduction: The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the dental literature regarding accuracy and clinical application in computer-guided template-based implant dentistry. Materials and methods: An electronic literature search complemented by manual searching was performed to gather data on accuracy and surgical, biological and prosthetic complications in connection with computer-guided implant treatment. For the assessment of accuracy meta-regression analysis was performed. Complication rates are descriptively summarized. Results: From 3120 titles after the literature search, eight articles met the inclusion criteria regarding accuracy and 10 regarding the clinical performance. Meta-regression analysis revealed a mean deviation at the entry point of 1.07 mm (95% CI: 0.76-1.22 mm) and at the apex of 1.63 mm (95% CI: 1.26-2 mm). No significant differences between the studies were found regarding method of template production or template support and stabilization. Early surgical complications occurred in 9.1%, early prosthetic complications in 18.8% and late prosthetic complications in 12% of the cases. Implant survival rates of 91-100% after an observation time of 12-60 months are reported in six clinical studies with 537 implants mainly restored immediately after flapless implantation procedures. Conclusion: Computer-guided template-based implant placement showed high implant survival rates ranging from 91% to 100%. However, a considerable number of technique-related perioperative complications were observed. Preclinical and clinical studies indicated a reasonable mean accuracy with relatively high maximum deviations. Future research should be directed to increase the number of clinical studies with longer observation periods and to improve the systems in terms of perioperative handling, accuracy and prosthetic complications.