Real-time structural analysis for preoperative surgical planning S. Olsen a , S. Ferguson a , C. Sigrist a , I. Pappas a , W. Hallermann b , L.P. Nolte a , M. Caversaccio b, * a M.E. Mu ¨ller Institute for Biomechanics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland b Department of ENT, Craniomaxillofacial, Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland Received 19 March 2003; received in revised form 19 March 2003; accepted 21 March 2003 Abstract In this paper, a novel method for incorporating automatic, patient-specific, structural analysis in computer-aided preoperative planning is described. Special emphasis has been placed on accurately capturing the mechanical behavior of the implant-to-bone interface where failure may occur. A finite element solver was developed and integrated into our computer-aided planning system for implant dentistry. This paper describes how 3D mechanical analysis of bridges, implants and bone can be performed in a fully automatic manner providing clinically relevant feedback to the surgeon in real time during preoperative planning. D 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. and CARS. All rights reserved. Keywords: Surgical planning; Structural analysis; Implant dentistry; Finite element modeling 1. Introduction In complex reconstructive dentistry, titanium implants, connected via bridges, are placed in the jaw supporting a superstructure aimed at restoring the function and appearance of missing teeth. Since the implants are uncemented, structural integrity relies on proper osseointegration with the bone. Primary mechanical stability, which prevents excessive micromotion of the implants, is of great importance in order to promote proper bonding to the bone [1]. This is even more critical in the case of early loading of implants, which has become increasingly accepted clinically. Proper distribution of the forces in the 0531-5131/03 D 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. and CARS. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/S0531-5131(03)00384-4 * Corresponding author. E-mail addresses: bjorn.olsen@memcenter.unibe.ch (S. Olsen), marco.caversaccio@insel.ch (M. Caversaccio). International Congress Series 1256 (2003) 370 – 375