An electromagnetic tracking implantation navigation system in dentistry with virtual calibration.

BACKGROUND Dental implant placement navigation systems based on optical tracking have been widely used in clinics. However, electromagnetic (EM) navigation method that does not suffer from problems of hidden line-of-light has not yet been described. METHODS This work proposes an EM-guided navigation method named TianShu-ESNS with virtual calibration. Model (12 implants) and animal experiments (pig head: six implants) were conducted to evaluate its performance and stability. RESULT The mean virtual calibration error was 0.83 ± 0.20 mm. The mean deviations at the entry point, end point and angle in the phantom experiment of TianShu-ESNS were 1.23 ± 0.17 mm, 1.59 ± 0.20 mm and 1.83 ± 0.27°, respectively. In the animal experiment, the same deviations were 1.25 ± 0.07 mm, 1.57 ± 0.35 mm and 1.90 ± 0.60°, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The experimental results show that TianShu-ESNS with the virtual calibration method could serve as a promising tool to eliminate the line-of-light hidden problem and simplify operation procedure in dental implant placement.