West Hartford Dentist's Robot Is Not Sci-Fi

WEST HARTFORD, CT — When talk turns to robots in the medical and dental fields, it's hard not to have modern-day science fiction come to mind.

Think of the robot that replaced Luke Skywalker's hand that was chopped off by Darth Vader in "The Empire Strikes Back."

But in reality, robots are tools, not medical professional replacements, and one West Hartford dental surgeon is utilizing a new dental robot to aid his patients and his practice.

Dr. Ryaz Ansari, who has a dental surgery practice located at 928 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, recently announced his use of a robot named "Yomi."

Built by Miami-based Neocis Inc., which specializes in medical robots, Ansari's mechanized assistant is the first and only robot-assisted surgical system for dental implants, according to Ansari's office.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration OK'd Yomi in 2017, with the FDA clearing Yomi for full arch replacements in 2020, according to Ansari.

“With the Yomi Dental Robot, we have developed a streamlined workflow in our office. What that means for patients is less time in our office overall. Shorter surgery and less invasive surgery," Ansari said recently.

"As a result, patients have less discomfort post operatively and a shorter healing time. At the same time, it is safer with better results.”

Of course, Yomi isn't some modern-day version of, say, C-3PO and it cannot talk (or annoy).

Rather, it is more of an automated version of the types of modern dental tools seen in a dental office these days.

Utilizing robotic technology, Ansari explains, the dentist is able to eliminate "the guesswork and (it) shows exactly the depth, cutting position and needed angles that the procedure needs to be performed to achieve the best optimal results thus making it minimally invasive."

What does Yomi mean for the patient? Ansari explains.

"The Yomi robot allows us to do complex implant surgery with great precision and predictability. When used in conjunction with modern 3D x-ray technology, we are able to place the implant without making large incisions," he said.

" Many times with no incision at all. This means shorter surgery and a shorter recovery. It also means less pain and swelling after the surgery.”

One thing to remember, though, is the dentist is still in charge when doing dental surgery like implants.

As Ansari explains, Yomi is, really, "an invisible guide that is guiding the human arm in doing the surgery."

"It’s really incredible technology,” Ansari said.

For more information on Necis Inc.'s Yomi, click on this link.

For more information on Dr. Ryaz Ansari's practice, click on this link.