NEW YORK: The dental students of NYU College of Dentistry became the first in the United States to undertake dental implant surgery using cutting-edge robotic technology.
Only three dental schools in the country have a robotic system for dental implant surgery, and NYU Dentistry is one of them. Since adopting the robotic equipment last year, NYU faculty and postdoctoral students have performed around 150 dental implant cases, but this is the first time dental students have guided the procedure from start to finish.
Dr Huzefa Talib, clinical associate professor and clinical director in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Operation at NYU Dentistry, supervised three students who performed the robot-assisted dental implant surgery. In their third year of dental school, the students had previously served as observers and surgical assistants for around 20 faculty-led robotic implant surgeries. As part of the oral and maxillofacial surgery and periodontal study clubs, they also led a series of hands-on simulations for other interested students. Throughout the training phases, Dr Thomas Wiedemann, clinical associate professor at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, provided didactic and simulation experiences to the students.
Imaging was carried out on the day of the surgery utilising a handheld intraoral scanner and cone-beam computed tomography (an X-ray machine spins around the patient) to obtain detailed 3D images of the patient's mouth. The image was utilised to arrange the precise placement of a dental implant to replace a single tooth.
The students then employed the robotic device to help them put the plan into action. The system uses haptic technology to deliver real-time physical cues, enhancing a provider's "feel" and assisting them in placing the dental implant accurately. The robotic arm serves as a guide and can adjust to a patient's movement in real-time to keep the implant aligned properly,