Computer-guidance in oral and maxillofacial surgery

three-dimensional imaging, implant planning software, and associated surgical instrumentation. Use of computers can lead to better care and outcomes. In the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery, computer applications can be used for imaging, planning the surgery, and guiding the operation. Ultimately, this will lead to robotassisted surgery. Already, many robotic medical surgical procedures have been developed, especially for head and neck cancers. In recent years, its use has been widened to orthognathic surgery. Although robotic surgery in oral and maxillofacial surgery is not yet a common procedure, this results from costs and efficiency rather than technical difficulties. The introduction of robotic surgery to oral and maxillofacial surgeons who work with intraoral hard tissue could lead to dramatic results. The effect of the computer in the field of dentistry has been increasing. In the near future, use of computer-assisted robotic surgical procedures in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery will increase. Soon dentists will diagnose from digital images, make a surgical plan using a computer, and operate using robotics. Computer-assisted robot surgery will come, so oral and maxillofacial surgeons should be alert and keep up with developments in this technology. We surgeons working in Korea should take the lead in computer-assisted surgery, particularly robotic surgery technology, and collaborate with leaders in the global information technology industry.