Guided endodontic surgery - Case series.

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Surgical Endodontics
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Periapical surgery aims to treat persistent periapical lesions.
• Traditional periapical surgery can be limited by the lack of precise guidance for osteotomy and root resection.
• Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology offers potential for creating patient-specific surgical guides.

Observation:

• Three case reports detail the application of a novel 3D printed surgical template for periapical surgery.
• Case 1 utilized CT and cast scan data for template-guided osteotomy and root resection.
• Case 2 employed CBCT imaging and a 3D model to create a template that minimized osteotomy and precisely targeted the apex.
• Case 3 used a CT-guided 3D template to facilitate accurate cortical bone removal.

Findings:

• The 3D printed surgical templates enabled precise osteotomy and root resection in all three cases.
• The guided approach minimized the invasiveness of the surgical procedure.
• Accurate targeting of the periapical area and precise bone removal were achieved.

Implications:

• 3D printed surgical templates represent a promising advancement in guided endodontic surgery.
• This technique has the potential to enhance precision, reduce invasiveness, and improve outcomes in periapical surgeries.
• Further research is warranted to evaluate the long-term efficacy and broader applicability of this technology.