Virtual surgical planning (VSP) in oral surgery can improve surgical precision, reduce operative times and enhance patient outcomes.
This is according to a new review that evaluated the effectiveness of VSP in comparison to traditional surgical planning methods.
VSP represents an advancement in craniomaxillofacial surgery by utilising 3D imaging and computer-aided techniques to enhance precision and improve surgical outcomes.
Published this month in Cureus: Journal of Medical Science, the review carried out a thorough examination of the existing literature on VSP in craniomaxillofacial surgery. By synthesising current research, it sought to enhance the understanding of VSP’s applications, benefits and limitations.
‘This systematic review highlighted the notable advantages of VSP in oral surgery, including improved surgical precision, reduced operative times, and enhanced patient outcomes,’ the researchers concluded.
‘VSP consistently outperformed traditional surgical methods, particularly in terms of accuracy and efficiency.
‘However, the review also pointed to some challenges, such as the higher material costs and occasional inconsistencies in results, which suggest that further refinement of the VSP techniques is necessary.
‘Additionally, long-term follow-up data showed promising results for VSP, indicating its potential for sustained positive effects. To fully realise its benefits, future studies should focus on addressing these challenges, optimising the technology, and further evaluating VSP’s long-term impact on surgical outcomes and cost effectiveness.’
Dental implant lifespan
This comes as findings show that dental implants used to replace single teeth function well even after several decades.
The research represents the longest follow-up study of single dental implants in the world.
Carried out by a team at the University of Gothenburg, the study is based on a follow-up of a small group of patients who received single implants to replace missing teeth between 1982 and 1985.
Of the 16 patients who received implants during this period, 13 participated in the follow-up, conducted at the Brånemark Clinic, Public Dental Service Västra Götaland. These 13 patients had 18 implants in total.
‘It is impressive that the single implants function so well after such a long time,’ said Sargon Barkarmo, prosthodontist and senior lecturer at the University of Gothenburg.
‘Even though the study included a small number of patients, the results show that the implants remain in place and that the bone loss around them is virtually unchanged after 40 years.’
The crowns placed on the implants had a shorter lifespan than the implants themselves, the study found. At the 40-year follow-up, around 60% of the original crowns remained, with many having been replaced one or more times.
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