Pineville dentist first in state to use cutting edge dental robot for implants

The Yomi Robotic Dental System by Neocis has given dental implant patients of Dr. Jonas Gauthier something to smile about.

The dental robot is the only one of 150 in the world, said Gauthier. It’s the only FDA approved dental robot that’s had approval since 2017.

And there is only one in Louisiana at Today’s Dental, 5016 Highway 28 East in Pineville.

It’s been a game changer for Gauthier but most importantly the patients who need implants.

“It allows us to place implants on patients that we weren't previously able to,” said Gauthier.

The procedure is also less invasive, he added. Patients also have a quicker recovery time allowing them to get back to work or school sooner than if had traditional implant surgery. They also experience less post-op discomfort as well.

What the robot does is allow them to precisely place the implants, said Gauthier.

The robot works like a GPS system, helping the doctor to map out and customize a treatment plan for each patient, states a press release. “It eliminates the guesswork and shows exactly the depth, cutting position, and needed angles that the procedure needs to be performed to achieve the best optimal results thus making it minimally invasive.

Before the patient’s surgery, they pre-plan the case and transfer information from their 3-D x-ray machine to the robot.

“And then from that point, once the surgery begins, the robot actually guides the surgeon – guides me – to precisely place the implant exactly where we need it,” said Gauthier. By doing this they are able to avoid vital structures such as sinus cavities, blood vessels and any other structures they need to avoid during dental surgery.

But doctors always remain in control of the drill. The robot is only there to assist. If the treatment plan needs to be changed, doctors can change it.

The robot also tracks and monitors patient’s movements so the robotic arm can adjust automatically and continue with the surgery.

Gauthier said his patients have been amazed with the technology and that it is even in Central Louisiana.

“The patients have been amazed at how quickly they're able to get back to work or get back to their normal activities,” he said. “We’ve had a couple that have had multiple implants over the years and this is just completely different. And simply because there's less post-op discomfort and their recovery so much faster.”

With the Yomi Robotic System, a patient can have a tooth extracted and walk out of the office with a “viable tooth in time for their next meal with little-to-no-downtown or discomfort,” states the release.

The release also states that it can take less than a hour for one implant while a full arch can be completed in 90 minutes.

“It’s no additional cost to outpatients either,” said Gauthier. They can be more efficient, and it allows them to treat far more patients.

“This is basically the same technology that that's been used in the medical field for a long time,” he said, from orthopedics to heart surgeries to minimally invasive procedures.

For more information, visit https://www.todaysdentalpineville.com/ or https://www.neocis.com/

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Pineville dentist first in state to use dental robot for implants