Hybrid Navigation Technique for Improved Precision in Implantology

Abstract

The hybrid navigation technique involves the merging of the Dynamic navigation (DN) system (Navident, Claronav, Canada) and static navigation technique (3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark). Combining the advantages of both techniques, devising a protocol of hybrid navigation will be advantageous to eliminate the difficulties faced by operators in using either methods separately. Three patients requiring dental implants were included in this study. This requires the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data) and intra-oral scan (Standard Tessellation Language (STL) format) data for the accurate planning of the implant positions in both the static and dynamic approaches. The steps carried out were repeated for each of the patients, the accuracy of the implant placement was verified postoperatively by merging the CBCT data pre and post through the Evalunav software (NaviDent, Claronav). The accuracy of the implants placed were assessed based on the mesio-distal, bucco-lingual, apical deviations in distance and in angulation. The semi-robotic DN and static guide combination as a hybrid technique is an interesting method to improve the accuracy of flapless implant surgeries and can be used in cases where the anatomical landmarks are determinant factors for the implant placement.