Application of a surgical navigation system for implant surgery in a deficient alveolar ridge postexcision of an odontogenic myxoma

Purpose: The study's purpose was to describe the application of a surgical navigation system for the treatment-planning and subsequent precise placement of dental implants in a patient, 2 years postexcision of a mandibular odontogenic myxoma. Patients and Methods: A 25-year-old male patient presented for rehabilitation of a deficient edentulous ridge at the right mandible following excision of an odontogenic myxoma. The patient was imaged by dental computed tomography while wearing an individually fitted interfacing acrylic splint. Thereafter, computed tomography data were imported to the Image-Guided Implantology system (IGI; DenX Advanced Dental Systems Ltd, Moshav Ora, Israel), and a precise 3-dimensional implant treatment plan was contemplated considering the compromised anatomy and the anticipated prosthesis. Results: Three dental implants were placed using a surgical navigation approach with precise coordination to the presurgical treatment plan and subsequently were restored with a screw-retained fixed prosthesis. At the 1-year follow-up, the implants were osseointegrated and the fixed prosthesis was fully functional. Conclusions: Computerized navigation is indicated for dental implant surgery inpatients with deficient alveolar ridge where coordination of the positioning of the implants to the final prosthesis is difficult. (C) 2005 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.