Conceptual reasoning model for supporting strategic planning of dental implant surgical process

Abstract

The technological evolution over the last decades brought the necessity of integration between different areas of knowledge; an example of this is the integration between the Odontology and Engineering in order to find new solutions to improve the surgical process of dental implants. This work proposes a conceptual reasoning model for supporting strategic planning of dental implant which offers support to the dentist through a three-dimensional geometric modeling of the dental arch (bone, nerves, existing teeth) allowing the realization in advance of the strategic planning of the surgical process. In this geometric modeling the reasoning system interacts with the dentist presenting the bones density, nerve location, among others features, becoming, in this way, a tool that will assist the dentist in the decision-making process. The proposed model creates an auxiliary mask that will work as a guide for locating and positioning the implants making the procedure quicker and less painful. The article's main contributions are: i) conception and development of a computational reasoning tool that supports the process of dental implantation; ii) the interactivity in the development of surgical planning through a threedimensional geometric model of the dental arch; iii) the reduction of surgical time and the patient's recovery time. © 2011 Springer-Verlag London Limited.