From static to robotic: evolving navigation systems in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Abstract

Navigation-assisted surgical systems in oral and maxillofacial surgery have evolved considerably over the past 5 years, with newer modifications aimed at improving surgical precision, accuracy, and patient outcomes. This narrative review summarizes recent advances in navigation technologies applied to trauma, orthognathic, oncologic, and reconstructive procedures. A comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus. Relevant articles published between 2019 and 2025 were identified using combinations of MeSH terms and keywords ("Maxillofacial Surgery," "Computer-Assisted Surgery," "Surgical Navigation") linked by Boolean operators. Recent studies highlight developments in dynamic navigation, augmented reality-based platforms, robot-assisted navigation, and artificial intelligence-integrated systems. These technologies demonstrate potential benefits in improving intraoperative accuracy, anatomical reconstruction, and surgical training. Navigation-assisted approaches in oral and maxillofacial surgery reduce intraoperative errors and enhance procedural efficiency, though their impact is influenced by operator expertise and institutional resources. Emerging hybrid and AI-assisted platforms hold promise for further advancing precision and safety in complex maxillofacial interventions.