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Smartphone-Based Augmented Reality Application for Dental Implant Placement: A Technical Innovation
Pascal Grün1, Florian Pfaffeneder-Mantai2, Tim Schiepek3
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.
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.
