Robot-Assisted and Haptic-Guided Endodontic Surgery: A Case Report

There has been a significant increase in robot-assisted dental procedures in the past decade, particularly in the area of robot-assisted implant placement. The objective of this case report was to assess the initial use of the Yomi Robot's assistance and haptic guidance during endodontic microsurgery. The robot was used during the osteotomy and root-end resection of the first and second upper left premolars. The report aims to inform clinicians of the initial implementation of this cutting-edge technology in endodontics and its potential to enhance endodontic microsurgery. The Yomi Robot was used in performing osteotomy and root-end resection during apical surgery in a patient presenting with symptomatic upper left first and second premolars. The treatment procedure was decided after clinical examination, chart data, and radiographic examinations, which showed periapical lesions on both premolars, taking into consideration the failed endodontic retreatment on the first premolar, the post and ceramic coronal restorations on both teeth, and the desire of the patient to save them. The Yomi Robot system provides auditory, visual, and physical guidance to clinicians during surgery while using a cone-beam computed tomography scan for precision planning with greater accuracy and minimized potential for human error. Further studies are needed to prepare a protocol for robotic-guided procedures in endodontics.

Guided endodontic microsurgery in apicoectomy: a review

The purpose of this review was twofold. The first aim was to show predictable protocols of guided endodontic microsurgery (EMS) and to describe its clinical outcomes. The second aim was to verify the accuracy of this technique compared to the traditional pathway. An electronic search of publications was established from two electronic databases, Cochrane and PubMed, by two independent researchers. The search strategy used a combination of controlled vocabulary and free-text words. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined by the authors before the start of the study. Inclusion criteria were: all studies published in English language; studies in vivo on humans; human cadaver studies; studies analyzing guided surgery in apicoectomy. The initial search yielded 67 citations, of which 10 were included. The studies included in this review analysis have shown two different technique both for digitization of dental arch and for surgical procedures too. Guided endodontic micro-surgery is a more predictable technique with less intra-operative and post-operative complications compared to the "freehand" technique and this procedure has shown a greater accuracy.