Surgical navigation tool developed in collaboration with UofT Dentistry receives FDA approval

Canadian company ClaroNav was recently awarded FDA approval for a navigation tool for implant surgeries – and the product, Navident, has a surprising UofT Dentistry connection.

Using a series of cone beam CT images, the novel tool enables surgeons to precisely plan and guide the placing of implants – without the use of sleeves. Instead, this new system tracks a patient’s position and plots the precise placement of the implants, while the surgeon keeps track of his or her progress via a monitor.

Assistant Professor Eszter Somogyi-Ganss was initially involved in the project’s development during her MSc degree, spanning 2010-2014; her role was to evaluate the prototype of the system, but ultimately, she ended up collaborating with the company to further improve the system for dentists.

A clinical pilot study of the project involving 20 patients was also conducted at UofT Dentistry.

“The beauty of the system is that if something goes wrong, you can sit there with the patient and correct the problem on the spot. This is the major difference – this system is flexible,” said Somogyi-Ganss, who joined the Faculty of Dentistry as an Assistant Professor, teaching stream this summer.

 The system, which is being hailed as a “great tool for people who are starting implant dentistry,” according to Somogyi-Ganss, is already available worldwide. FDA approval is a must for products hoping to launch in the lucrative US market. 

Image: courtesy Doron Dekel, Claronav