Computer based approach for design and treatment of immediately loaded implants

The survival of implants provide superior stability from a clinical point of view when the implant and bone characteristics match the biological and biomechanical requirements of implants. The design and the placement of implants are important factors governing the long term success. We therefore developed on the basis of finite element calculations a new dental implant system indicated for an immediate loading protocol. To optimise loading and to ease the clinical performance of implant treatment image guided navigation was used to insert implants. Implants were inserted in the mandible of minipigs by the robodent system (Straumann, Germany) according to the boundary conditions used in our FEM analysis. Our results indicate that a good accuracy of implant insertion can be achieved. Immediate placement of prefabricated crowns demonstrated a good occlusal relationship. The maximum deviation between the planned and the realised implant position was 0.6mm. Histological analysis demonstrated a biomechanically stable position of implants. We conclude that the design as well as the insertion and prosthetic treatment of oral implants is improved by computer assisted surgery.