Computer-assisted planning of oral implant surgery. An approach using virtual reality.

A planning system for oral implant surgery is described. This system allows the interactive placement and adjustment of models representing oral implants on CT volume data. These CT data can be shown as two-dimensional (2D) slices, or as a three-dimensional (3D) surface-rendered model. The viewpoint is fully adaptable, and stereoscopy results in an enhanced insight in the interrelation between implants and structures. This approach offers many advantages when compared with the traditional manual planning or with a 2D computer based planning. Clinical trials are being performed.