In the latest "Just Ask" session hosted by EAO, Dr. Luca de Stavola, a renowned oral surgeon and inventor, shared his journey and insights into guided bone harvesting. He began by discussing his background, which includes a Master’s in Oral Medicine and Implant Dentistry from the University of Munster, Germany. His extensive training involved performing hundreds of bone harvestings annually, where he was exposed to the limitations of traditional 2D imaging and freehand techniques.
Dr. de Stavola reflected on a pivotal moment in his career—a stressful live surgery that revealed the risks of freehand harvesting. Despite thorough preparation, a complication arose when the harvested bone block unexpectedly moved, creating a nerve risk. This incident was a turning point for him, pushing him to explore more controlled methods, particularly through digital techniques.
With the help of his colleague Andrea Fincato, he developed a protocol for computer-guided bone block harvesting. This approach, he explained, minimizes surgical stress and enhances precision by allowing surgeons to plan the procedure in a digital environment before entering the operating room. The software used to guide the process helps select the optimal cutting planes, ensuring safety and control.
Dr. de Stavola emphasized the advantages of this digital approach, particularly in reducing surgical errors and stress. The software’s precision provides a "Lego-like" step-by-step guide, offering a clearer path from bone harvesting to placement. This method also helps manage complications by allowing for advance planning and contingency measures, such as adjusting for nerve proximity.
As the session concluded, Dr. de Stavola expressed his enthusiasm for the future of digital dentistry, highlighting the importance of evolving techniques and continuously challenging one’s comfort zone to improve patient care. His journey reflects a commitment to advancing the field and sharing knowledge to empower fellow clinicians. The session was a testament to how embracing new technology can transform surgical practice, ensuring better outcomes and less stress for both patients and surgeons alike.