Craniofacial endosseus implant positioning with image-guided surgical navigation

Craniofacial implants provide retention and excellent stability for auricular prosthodontic rehabilitation. The locations of implant placement for optimal prosthetic outcome are critical to detect. We used image-guided navigation for implant positioning to test the feasibility and practical impact. Image-guided surgery was performed by use of a passive infrared surgical navigation system (VectorVisionTM, BrainLAB). The preoperative computed tomography (CT) data was obtained using the Somatom Sensation 16 multi slice-scanner (Siemens). After skull reference array attachment, the patient-to-image registration was performed using surface laser scanning technique. A total of 8 implants was placed in the mastoid area and further miscellaneous craniofacial locations. The implant positioning was planned conventionally and updated after image-guided linear measurement in conjunction with the bone thickness. After registration axial, coronal and sagittal reconstructions of the pointer tip position in the regions of interest was displayed in real time. The proper and controlled location and positioning of implants in the craniofacial area could strongly be improved. Navigation-assisted surgical technique can assist in proper positioning of craniofacial implants, which in turn can complement the prosthetic result.