Ultrasonography-Guided Dental Implant Surgery: A Feasibility Study

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Medical Imaging
• Surgical Planning

Background:

• Conventional implant placement often relies on ionizing radiation (CBCT).
• Accurate pre-surgical planning is crucial for successful dental implant outcomes.
• Minimizing radiation exposure in dental procedures is a growing concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of using ultrasound (US) imaging for computer-assisted dental implant planning and placement.
• To compare the accuracy of US-based planning with conventional CBCT-based planning.
• To evaluate US as a non-ionizing alternative for guided implant surgery.

Main Methods:

• Nine patients underwent intraoral scans, CBCT, and custom device-guided US scans.
• Prosthetic-driven surgical guides were designed using US and intraoral scan data.
• Implants were placed, and postoperative positions verified with intraoral scans.
• Comparisons included US vs. CBCT planning, planned vs. actual positions, and intra-operator CBCT repeatability.
• Deviation analysis included angles, shoulder, and apex positions, plus soft tissue profile accuracy.

Main Results:

• All ultrasound-planned implants were successfully placed without complications.
• Mean angular deviation between US and CBCT plans was 5.27° (RMSD 5.53°).
• Mean deviations for shoulder and apex positions between US and CBCT plans were 0.92 mm (RMSD 0.95 mm) and 1.41 mm (RMSD 1.53 mm), respectively.
• Mean deviation between planned and intra-surgical positions was 2.63° (RMSD 2.66°) for angle, 1.16 mm (RMSD 1.19 mm) for shoulder, and 1.26 mm (RMSD 1.28 mm) for apex.
• Soft tissue profile deviation was minimal at 0.19 mm (±0.08 mm).

Conclusions:

• Ultrasound-guided implant surgery is a feasible non-ionizing approach.
• It offers a viable alternative to conventional static-guided implant surgery protocols.
• This technique is suitable for implant placement in sites with favorable characteristics.