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Computer methods for automating preoperative dental implant planning: implant positioning and size assignment.

Galanis CC, Sfantsikopoulos MM, Koidis PT, Kafantaris NM, Mpikos PG

National Technical University of Athens, School of Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Design & Control Systems Division, 9 Iroon Polytechneiou, 15780 Athens, Greece. chrgal@mail.ntua.gr

The paper presents computer-aided methods that allocate a dental implant and suggest its size, during the pre-operative planning stage, in conformance with introduced optimization criteria and established clinical requirements. Based on computed tomography data of the jaw and prosthesis anatomy, single tooth cases are planned for the best-suited implant insertion at a user-defined region. An optimum implantation axis line is produced and cylindrical implants of various candidate sizes are then automatically positioned, while their occlusal end is leveled to bone ridge, and evaluated. Radial safety margins are used for the assessment of the implant safety distance from neighboring anatomical structures and bone quantity and quality are estimated and taken into consideration. A case study demonstrates the concept and allows for its discussion.

Published 12 March 2007 in Comput Methods Programs Biomed, 86(1): 30-8.
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