Live navigation dental implant surgery is a guided implant placement technique that uses real-time 3D imaging to direct the surgeon’s instruments throughout the procedure — combining the surgeon’s clinical judgment with millimeter-level precision and instant feedback. The technology is a meaningful upgrade over both freehand placement and traditional static surgical guides, particularly for cases involving limited bone volume, complex anatomy, or the placement of multiple dental implants in a single visit. By dynamically tracking the position of the implant drill against the patient’s actual anatomy in real time, the surgeon can adjust angle, depth, and placement with a level of accuracy that earlier-generation guidance systems could not match.

Dr. David Salehani is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon — a specialist who has completed dental school, medical school, a hospital-based surgical residency, and a general surgery internship, the highest level of training available for surgical implant placement. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery with honors from State University of New York at Stony Brook, his Doctor of Medicine from Stony Brook School of Medicine, and completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Dr. Salehani serves as faculty at UCLA Medical Center, has held a seat on the peer review board of the Los Angeles Dental Society for over seven years, and is past president of the Beverly Hills Academy of Dentistry — credentials that allow him to combine the most advanced surgical technology with the clinical depth required for predictable long-term outcomes.

How the X-Guide™ Live Navigation System Works

Before surgery, a high-resolution CBCT scan of the patient’s jaw is captured to generate a precise 3D model of the bone, teeth, and surrounding anatomy. Dr. Salehani uses this model to digitally plan the exact location, angle, and depth of every implant before the patient ever enters the operating room. During surgery, the X-Guide™ system displays a live, dynamic view of the patient’s anatomy alongside the planned implant trajectory — much like a GPS navigation system showing the surgeon the optimal path to the target. As the drill moves, the system updates in real time, allowing immediate adjustments for the highest level of placement accuracy.

Benefits of Live Navigation Implant Surgery

• Enhanced Precision: Real-time 3D guidance allows for submillimeter accuracy in implant placement, even in anatomically complex cases.
• Reduced Surgical Time: Live guidance shortens operative time by eliminating guesswork during placement.
• Smaller Incisions: Precision targeting often allows for flapless or minimally invasive techniques, reducing tissue trauma and recovery time.
• Improved Safety: Continuous monitoring of drill position relative to nerves, sinuses, and adjacent teeth significantly reduces the risk of injury to vital structures.
• Predictable Restorative Outcomes: Implants placed in optimal position make the final crown, bridge, or full-arch restoration easier to fabricate and longer-lasting in function.

Who Benefits from Live Navigation Implant Placement

Live navigation is appropriate for nearly every implant patient and is especially valuable for those with limited bone volume, narrow ridges, proximity to the maxillary sinus or inferior alveolar nerve, full-arch All-on-4 reconstructions, and any case where multiple implants must be placed in precise relationship to each other for the final restoration. Patients who have been told they are not candidates for traditional implants due to anatomical complexity often qualify when guided placement is combined with bone grafting or sinus elevation.

Schedule a Live Navigation Implant Consultation in West Hollywood

To learn whether live navigation dental implant surgery is the right approach for your tooth replacement plan, contact Sunset Oral and Facial Surgery at (310) 275-3635 to schedule a consultation with Dr. David Salehani at our West Hollywood office, serving patients throughout Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and the surrounding communities.