Analysis of the Accuracy of a Dynamic Navigation System in Endodontic Microsurgery: A Prospective Case Series Study: Accuracy of DNS in EMS

Evaluation of a Novel Drilling Approach for Dynamic Navigation-Aided Endodontic Microsurgery: A Surgical Simulation Comparison Study

INTRODUCTION

This study investigated the feasibility of a novel drilling approach that integrates a pilot trephine into dynamic navigation (DN) for guided osteotomy and root-end resection (RER) with unimanual operation in endodontic microsurgery.

METHODS

Two operators with varying levels of DN experience performed guided osteotomy and RER using 2 unimanual drilling methods with DN-aided operation on 3-dimensional printed jaw models. Method 1 (M1) involved drilling with a conventional trephine. Method 2 (M2) involved drilling with a pilot trephine, followed by drilling with a conventional trephine. Accuracy, time, and safety of M1 and M2 were compared. Accuracy measurements included platform deviation (PD), end deviation (ED), angular deviation (AD), resection length deviation (RLD), and resection bevel angle (RBA). Additional parameters included osteotomy and RER time (OT) and bur slippage number (BSN). Statistical analyses were conducted using a 2-sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, with the significance level set at .05.

RESULTS

The PD, AD, RBA, and BSN in the M2 group were significantly less than in the M1 group (P < .05). For M1, the novice operator (NO) exhibited significantly higher values of PD, ED, OT, and BSN than the experienced operator (EO) (P < .05). For M2, the NO exhibited significantly higher value of ED only (P < .05), and drilling depth >7 mm was significantly associated with a longer OT (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

In this surgical simulation comparison study, the incorporation of a pilot drill improved the accuracy and safety of DN-aided endodontic microsurgery.

Advancements in guided surgical endodontics: A scoping review of case report and case series and research implications

This scoping review examined current case series and reports on guided surgical endodontic applications in order to provide a critical platform for future research. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews guidelines were followed. A search on PubMed and Scopus yielded 611 articles, with 17 case reports and 1 series meeting inclusion criteria. Overall, guided surgery addressed anatomical complexities, with 15 articles employing static protocols and 3 dynamic. Results showed minimal iatrogenic errors and reduced chair time, with no postoperative issues reported. Within the cases described, guided endodontic surgery exhibited satisfactory results in management of anatomical complex cases. Cost-effectiveness, the need for adequate follow-up, procedure's reproducibility and accuracy, and objective measurement of the reduction in operative times and iatrogenic errors are some of the limitations in the current reports that need to be considered for planning of future experimental and cohort studies.

Comparison of Accuracy and Operation Time in Robotic, Dynamic, and Static-Assisted Endodontic Microsurgery: An In Vitro Study

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to compare the accuracy and operation time (OT) of robotic-assisted endodontic microsurgery (RA-EMS), dynamic navigation-guided (DN-guided) EMS, and static navigation-guided (SN-guided) EMS.

METHODS

Seventy-two teeth from three sets of standardized jaw models (TrueTooth, DELendo, Santa Barbara, CA) randomly assigned into 3 groups underwent osteotomy and root-end resection. Preoperative plans and postoperative cone-beam computed tomography images were imported into an accuracy analysis system and aligned based on the anatomical structures to assess accuracy. The OT was recorded from the moment the foot pedal was pressed down until the bur reached the target depth. Statistical analyses were conducted using Kruskal-Wallis and Scheirer-Ray-Hare tests, with significance set at P < .05.

RESULTS

RA-EMS exhibited significantly higher accuracy than DN- and SN-guided EMS in terms of platform, angular, and resection angular deviations (P < .05). Additionally, RA-EMS exhibited significantly higher accuracy than DN-guided EMS in resection length deviation (P < .05). Significant differences were also observed in OTs between the 3 approaches, with SN-guided EMS showing the shortest OT, followed by RA-EMS and DN-guided EMS. Differences in jaw types within the DN-guided EMS group were observed in terms of angular deviation (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

All 3 treatment approaches demonstrated acceptable clinical accuracy and OT. RA-EMS exhibited superior accuracy, suggesting its potential application prospects in endodontics. Further high-quality clinical studies are warranted.

Expert consensus on digital guided therapy for endodontic diseases

Digital guided therapy (DGT) has been advocated as a contemporary computer-aided technique for treating endodontic diseases in recent decades. The concept of DGT for endodontic diseases is categorized into static guided endodontics (SGE), necessitating a meticulously designed template, and dynamic guided endodontics (DGE), which utilizes an optical triangulation tracking system. Based on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images superimposed with or without oral scan (OS) data, a virtual template is crafted through software and subsequently translated into a 3-dimensional (3D) printing for SGE, while the system guides the drilling path with a real-time navigation in DGE. DGT was reported to resolve a series of challenging endodontic cases, including teeth with pulp obliteration, teeth with anatomical abnormalities, teeth requiring retreatment, posterior teeth needing endodontic microsurgery, and tooth autotransplantation. Case reports and basic researches all demonstrate that DGT stand as a precise, time-saving, and minimally invasive approach in contrast to conventional freehand method. This expert consensus mainly introduces the case selection, general workflow, evaluation, and impact factor of DGT, which could provide an alternative working strategy in endodontic treatment.