What Does a Dental Robot Actually Do? Inside Robotic-Assisted Implant Surgery
Yes, that's a robot you're looking at.
If you've been told you need a dental implant, you may not expect your dentist's treatment room to look a little like a surgical suite.
But dental implant technology has come a long way. Today, advanced 3D imaging, digital treatment planning and robotic-assisted technology can give your dentist additional information and guidance during implant surgery.
At Lotus Dental Wellness in Lake Oswego, we use YOMI® robotic-assisted technology when it makes sense for the individual patient and procedure.
And that's an important distinction.
The robot doesn't replace the dentist. And it's not the right tool for every case.
So what does it actually do?
First, we build a 3D picture of your anatomy
Before placing an implant, your dentist needs to understand much more than what's visible when you open your mouth.
A CBCT scan creates a three-dimensional view that can help the surgical team evaluate your available bone, surrounding anatomy and the area where an implant may be placed.
At Lotus, CBCT imaging is part of how we plan complex implant cases and evaluate the anatomy surrounding a proposed implant site.
Learn more about CBCT 3D imaging →
That information can then be incorporated into a digital surgical plan.
Then comes the interesting part: YOMI
Think of YOMI as a surgical co-navigation system.
The surgeon develops the treatment plan. During surgery, YOMI provides real-time guidance that helps the surgeon follow that plan while maintaining control of the procedure.
The system can provide guidance related to the planned position, angle and depth of implant site preparation. The FDA describes YOMI as a computerized robotic navigational system intended to assist with both the planning and surgical phases of dental implant procedures.
In other words:
The robot isn't deciding where your implant goes.
Your surgeon is.
YOMI helps provide another layer of information and guidance while that plan is carried out.
Does a robot actually place the dental implant?
This is probably the question most people have.
Not in the way you might be imagining.
Your dentist or oral surgeon remains in control.
YOMI is designed to provide robotic navigation and guidance for the surgical instruments. The surgeon uses that guidance while performing the procedure.
It's better to think of it as technology assisting a highly trained clinician, rather than a robot performing surgery on its own.
And that's exactly how we view it at Lotus.
Technology should serve the treatment plan, not dictate it.
There are cases where robotic-assisted surgery may be helpful. There are also cases where another approach, including conventional freehand implant placement, may be the better choice.
We don't use YOMI simply because we have it. We use it when it makes sense for the patient and the case.
So why use robotic-assisted dental implant surgery?
When YOMI is appropriate, robotic guidance can add another level of information and control to an already carefully planned procedure.
That can be particularly valuable when the implant's planned position needs to account for:
Available bone
Nearby nerves or sinus structures
The position of neighboring teeth
The desired restorative outcome
The angle and depth of the implant
A patient's individual anatomy
The goal isn't simply to put an implant somewhere in the jaw.
It's to plan where the implant needs to go and then carefully execute that plan.
Where do ceramic dental implants fit in?
This is where our approach gets particularly interesting.
At Lotus, we use ceramic, zirconia dental implants rather than titanium implants. For patients who are specifically looking for a metal-free dental implant option, zirconia can be an alternative worth discussing.
But the material is only one part of the equation.
Your implant treatment may involve:
CBCT imaging
→ to understand your anatomy
Digital planning
→ to determine the proposed implant position
YOMI robotic assistance
→ when appropriate, to provide real-time surgical guidance
Ceramic implant technology
→ for patients choosing a zirconia implant
PRF, Ozone, and other healing support
→ when appropriate for the surgical plan
The pieces work together, but none of them replaces clinical judgment.
Explore ceramic dental implants →
What makes Lotus different?
You don't need to choose between advanced technology and a whole-body approach.
We believe the two can work together.
Your implant consultation isn't simply about asking, "Where can we put an implant?"
We want to understand the bigger picture:
Why is the tooth missing?
What's happening with the surrounding bone and tissue?
What does your 3D anatomy look like?
What materials are you comfortable with?
How does the proposed implant fit your bite and function?
What technology makes sense for your particular case?
How can we support the surgical healing process?
That might mean YOMI.
It might mean another guided approach.
And sometimes, freehand surgery is the right choice.
The technology is impressive, but the real value comes from knowing when to use it, when not to use it, and how it fits into the bigger treatment plan.
Take a look inside our surgical suite
If you've ever wondered what robotic-assisted dental implant surgery actually looks like, this is the part we think is worth seeing.
This isn't a simulation or a manufacturer demonstration.
It's what the technology looks like when it's being used as part of real implant care at Lotus.
Considering a dental implant?
If you've been told you need a dental implant, you're not limited to one approach.
You may have questions about ceramic vs. titanium implants, robotic-assisted surgery, bone health, healing, or what your options are after losing a tooth.
Those are exactly the conversations we want to have with you.
At Lotus Dental Wellness, we combine biological dentistry with advanced surgical technology to develop an implant plan around you, not simply around the technology available in the office.
Learn more about our approach to dental implants →
Explore YOMI robotic-assisted implant surgery →
If you're considering replacing a missing tooth and want to understand your options, call Lotus Dental Wellness at 503-684-4174 or reach out to schedule a consultation in Lake Oswego.