HISTORICAL ASPECTS OF NAVIGATION SURGERY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35220/2523-420X/2026.3.20Keywords:
navigation surgery, dental implantation, surgical guides, CAD/CAM, historical aspects, historical personalities, first templatesAbstract
Dental implantology is one of the most dynamically growing branches of Dentistry, combining surgical and orthopedic approaches to restore the function and aesthetics of the dentoalveolar system. The success of treatment largely depends on the accuracy of planning and performing surgical stages. Traditional methods based on clinical experience and X-ray analysis did not always provide high predictability of results. The first mention of surgical templates specifically for dental implantation appears in the literature of the mid-1980s. The purpose of this paper. Systematic analysis of the historical stages of the formation of navigation surgery, consideration of the development of technologies for manufacturing surgical templates, as well as assessment of the impact of digital techniques on the practice of dental implantology. Materials and methods. The article reviews the historical aspects of the development of navigation surgery, with a focus on its application in dental implantology. Key stages of development are analyzed ‒ from the earliest attempts at tooth implantation in ancient civilizations and the use of mechanical devices to the introduction of modern digital technologies, CAD/CAM systems, and 3D printing. Special attention is paid to the classification of surgical guides, topographic-anatomical considerations, and the impact of navigation systems on the accuracy and safety of implant procedures. The significance of modern approaches in improving treatment predictability and reducing complications is highlighted. Conclusions. The history of navigation surgery from the mid-1980s to the present day demonstrates the evolution from empirical approaches to high-precision digital technologies. It has significantly improved the accuracy and safety of dental implantation, making it more predictable and affordable. The introduction of CAD/CAM systems, 3D printing, and dynamic navigation has changed the standard of clinical practice. Current research confirms that the use of surgical templates significantly reduces the number of complications and increases the success rate of implants. Further development of technologies, in particular the use of artificial intelligence and augmented reality, opens up new prospects for such surgery, but thus technologies force us to improve existing methods and look for solutions to existing shortcomings
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