The Robodentist - Coming Your Way?
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- Published: Monday, 21 March 2022 08:29
- Written by Peter Ingle
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Dr Tony Barriere, a Los Angeles dentist, has always looked to integrate new technology in his practice and has been using 3D printing widely, but his latest piece of kit is much more exotic.
The Yomi robotic dental system has now assisted him on over 40 implant cases since he started using it last December. Describing it as being like a GPS navigation system for the mouth, it is claimed to allow faster and more precise implant placement. Made by Neocis, a high tech start up based in Miami, Yomi helps dentists map out and plan treatment. It shows exact depths, cutting positions and angles for surgery. Dr Barrieire adds that placements that took 30 minutes are now completed in 10 and describes it, “as if someone was holding your hand in the exact perfect position and it doesn’t deviate from that spot.” Providing a patient’s view of the experience, was Linda Key who had seven implants placed by Dr Barriere, some with Yomi and some without. She commented that the Yomi assisted fixtures had been accompanied by less post-operative discomfort. However, she also added that it was reassuring to know that the dentist still retained the ability to override the Yomi plan, at any point during surgery.
The company behind Yomi, Neocis inc, was founded 20 years ago and has a track record in surgical robotics. Previous products have included a system for guided orthopaedic surgery. The Neocis founders, partly inspired by one of their parents who was an endodontist, then developed an application for dental implants. The device’s name, Yomi, comes from a family friend who is a dentist. Yomi systems are already established in use at the Boston University Henry M Goldman, and West Virginia, dental schools. Most recently, New York University College of Dentistry has acquired, and begun to use, two Yomi devices.
Recent developments include FDA clearance to use the system for full arch cases. During the related clinical studies with the device, full arch surgery could be completed in 90 minutes, using a flapless approach. Neocis claim that the device makes surgical guides obsolete, as well as improving access to the surgical site. Integration into a digital workflow, it is claimed, will make it possible to “scan, plan and operate” the same day.
The prospect of robotic dentistry may well be a dream for hard pressed NHS commissioners facing a workforce shortage that is now combined with the constant news of returned contracts. Unfortunately for them, at the moment it seems restricted to the kind of complex procedures that they are desperate to avoid providing, and still works with, rather than replacing, a skilled human dental team.
Robot Image source https://www.flickr.com/photos/30478819@N08/50959556672 Not modified - Licence
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