Digital workflow for prosthetically driven implant navigation surgery in a fully edentulous patient: a case report

Dynamic navigation has important potential advantages over the static approach for fully edentulous patients. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first published case report describing the use of a dynamic implant navigation technique for a fully edentulous patient.

A 55-year-old female presented for the replacement of missing teeth. Treatment with an implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis was proposed. A digital navigation implant surgery/immediate provisionalization protocol was used. An acrylic resin denture was fabricated as a radiographic guide. Digital data were obtained through the double scan technique, and a prosthetically driven 3D implant positioning was designed. Four titanium mini screws were inserted into the mandible for registration. The first implant was inserted in a freehand manner and attached to a patient tracker. After calibration and registration, the navigation system was set up. The other five implants were inserted using the navigation system. The procedure followed for the maxilla was similar. After surgery, a loading procedure was performed within 24 h.

Following implant placement, a postoperative CBCT scan was performed. The results showed that all implants were placed precisely, in accordance with the treatment plan.

From the results obtained it appears that a fully digital workflow for prosthetically driven implant navigation surgery is suitable for the treatment of fully edentulous patients requiring an implant-supported fixed restoration. High-level evidence is needed to determine the accuracy and precision of this workflow.