The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Technology does wonders for orthodontic surgery, says specialist

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Technology does wonders for orthodontic surgery, says specialist

R. Sujatha

Before computers made surgery easier, dental surgeons depended on X-rays

Dr. Jayanthi Parthasarathy — Photo: R. Ragu

Chennai: Attempts to bring cutting edge technology for surgically curing jawbone injuries have not been smooth. Before computers made surgery easier, dental surgeons depended on X-rays, says Dr. Jayanthi Parthasarathy.

Surgeons manually computed the method of surgery. "Doctors will study the X-ray and assess the extent of damage the jawbone suffered and the nature of filling it would require. There can be human error sometimes," says the dentist who specialises in dental prosthesis. She has now completed MS by research in Anna University's Manufacturing Engineering department to prepare prototypes. These can be used for surgical correction of cranio-facial deformities, she says.

Orthodontic surgery earlier involved multiple surgeries. A piece of bone from a patient is taken, cut to required measurement and prosthesis designed and fitted to the patient's damaged jaw.

"We had a major problem in reconstruction. Gross deformities would arise after the bone is removed and there is also fear of infection and shaping of the bone. In some cases, bones would gradually degenerate. Sometimes bones would disintegrate and won't fuse."

But improved technology has done wonders. "Currently titanium is used. It is the best biomaterial available today and can be used as implant material, as there are different forms of the metal. It is the only metal that causes osteo integration."

Dr. Parthasarathy began working in computer applied dentistry in 1987 at Malar Polyclinic, which was located then on C.P. Ramaswamy Road.

Her interest was in developing prototypes that could be used as surgical guides. Prototypes help when CT scans fail to show fissures in the jawbone, she says.

"Even Windows were not available on computers. In 1997, when Windows came, DOS-based auto CAD programmes were converted to Windows," she recalls.

In 1998-99, she started working informally with the Anna University's CAD/CAM centre. "I started working on 3D modelling. Then, CT scans had not graduated to the level they are now." One waited for CT scans to be given in digital format. In 2002-2003, CT scans began arriving in CD forms."

In 2002, Anna University conducted a national workshop on rapid prototyping in which she presented papers on engineering concepts to develop medical prototypes. In 2003, she registered for the MS (by research) programme at Anna University with the head of Manufacturing Engineering Department, S. Gauri, as research guide.

She used CT scans to develop physical models that could be used as surgical guides. "Making a model before an operation is the best for elective surgery. It also helps to make prosthesis because the models themselves are tested for pressure and longevity." Dr. Parthasarathy did six courses with M.Tech. and M.E. students. Her subjects included CAD/CAM, rapid prototyping, computer graphics, biomaterials characterisation, recent advances in diagnosis and treatment planning in craniofacial deformity.

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