Smartphone-Based Augmented Reality Application for Dental Implant Placement: A Technical Innovation

Pascal Grün ¹, Florian Pfaffeneder-Mantai ², Tim Schiepek ³

¹Senior Doctor, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Danube Private University, Krems, Austria; Senior Doctor, Clinical Application of Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry (CAAID) Group, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University, Krems an der Donau, Austria.
²Senior Doctor, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Danube Private University, Krems, Austria; Senior Doctor, Clinical Application of Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry (CAAID) Group, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University, Krems an der Donau, Austria; Deputy Medical Director, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Danube Private University, Krems, Austria; Deputy Medical Director, Clinical Application of Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry (CAAID) Group, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University, Krems an der Donau, Austria; Senior Doctor, Division for Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University, Krems, Austria; Deputy Medical Director, Division for Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University, Krems, Austria.
³Student of Medicine in Dentistry, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Danube Private University, Krems, Austria; Student of Medicine in Dentistry, Clinical Application of Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry (CAAID) Group, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University, Krems an der Donau, Austria.
⁴Senior Doctor, Clinical Application of Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry (CAAID) Group, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University, Krems an der Donau, Austria; Senior Doctor, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Research Center for Digital Technologies in Dentistry and CAD/CAM, Danube Private University, Krems an der Donau, Austria.
⁵Professor and Head, Clinical Application of Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry (CAAID) Group, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University, Krems an der Donau, Austria; Professor and Head, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Research Center for Digital Technologies in Dentistry and CAD/CAM, Danube Private University, Krems an der Donau, Austria.
⁶Professor and Head, Clinical Application of Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry (CAAID) Group, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University, Krems an der Donau, Austria; Professor and Head, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Danube Private University, Krems, Austria.

⁰Senior Doctor, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Danube Private University, Krems, Austria; Senior Doctor, Clinical Application of Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry (CAAID) Group, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University, Krems an der Donau, Austria.

Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery : Official Journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons +

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September 12, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This study introduces a smartphone-based augmented reality (AR) system for precise dental implant placement. The innovative mobile-visualized AR navigation system demonstrates accurate results, offering a cost-effective solution for computer-assisted implant surgery.

Area Of Science

Dentistry
Surgical Technology
Medical Imaging

Background

Accurate dental implant fixture placement is crucial for successful functional and esthetic outcomes.
Computer-assisted implant surgery enhances precision over freehand techniques.
Augmented reality (AR) integration offers advanced visualization but faces adoption barriers due to cost and complexity.

Purpose Of The Study

To present the first clinical application of a mobile-visualized AR navigation system for dental implant placement.
To evaluate the accuracy and feasibility of a smartphone-based AR system in digital implantology.
To explore AR as a cost-effective alternative for surgical navigation.

Main Methods

A comprehensive digital workflow was employed, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), intraoral scanning, and photographic data.
A smartphone-based AR navigation system was utilized for dynamic implant navigation in the anterior maxilla.
Postoperative analysis assessed deviations in implant apex position and angulation from the planned trajectory.

Main Results

The study demonstrated accurate dental implant placement using the smartphone-based AR system.
Maximum deviations from the planned trajectory were 2.0 mm in apex position and 9.15° in angulation.
The system proved feasible for digital navigation in implantology.

Conclusions

Smartphone-based AR navigation is a viable, cost-effective, and accessible solution for improving accuracy in dental implant surgery.
This technology holds potential for training future implantologists.
Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended to validate these findings.