Alfonso X el Sabio University (UAX) has set a new milestone by becoming the first university in Europe to perform a robotic surgical procedure in which six dental implants were placed simultaneously in an edentulous patient. The procedure, carried out at the UAX Dental Clinics (Albarracín 35, Madrid), represents a milestone as it is the first case of full-arch implants where there are no natural teeth to guide the surgery; the UAX team has demonstrated its extensive mastery of the technique in dealing with a highly complex case involving a toothless mouth with no reference points for the robot.
The procedure was carried out using Yakebot’s DRS-02-RA-Pro robot, one of the world’s most advanced platforms for implant surgery, capable of achieving a positioning accuracy of 0.09 mm through dynamic navigation and real-time tracking. This technology enables predefined surgical plans to be carried out with a high degree of accuracy, even in complex bone conditions, thereby improving the safety and predictability of treatment. More than 10,000 patients have been treated with this system in China, where 200 units are actively in use, and it has a track record of more than 20,000 successful clinical applications worldwide.
Joaquín Delgado, director of the Master’s in Oral Surgery and Implantology at UAX, has highlighted the transformative nature of this development: “This milestone represents not only a clinical advance, but also an academic one. We are training the professionals who will lead the future of dentistry, integrating cutting-edge technology into a real-world clinical setting.”
For his part, Pablo Xing, a lecturer on the Master’s programme, highlighted how “robotics has enabled us to take implantology to a level of precision and control that was previously unattainable. We have managed to replicate the digital planning exactly in the patient’s mouth, minimising the margin of error and significantly improving the clinical experience”.
Less invasiveness, greater precision and faster recovery
The use of this robotic technology has enabled minimally invasive surgery, reducing tissue trauma and intraoperative bleeding, and facilitating a faster recovery for the patient. Furthermore, the system’s precision contributes to greater primary stability of the implant, which is key to the long-term success of the treatment.
Key advantages include a reduction in surgical time, as procedures can be completed in as little as 15–20 minutes per implant; the possibility of performing flapless surgery; and the ability to avoid critical structures such as nerves or the maxillary sinus thanks to automated safety systems.
An educational model linked to real-world practice
The procedure took place in an environment where students were able to observe and participate in the process, integrating theoretical knowledge and practical experience within a real clinical context. This approach is in line with UAX’s educational model, which is based on experiential learning and direct contact with the professional world from day one. In this way, students acquire skills in real-world settings and prepare for the challenges ahead in the job market.
Furthermore, this commitment to integrating technology and training has been part of UAX’s DNA since its inception; the institution views education as a process linked to innovation and the needs of the professional world, incorporating the latest technology into its curriculum and clinical facilities, enabling it to swiftly align its training programmes with new trends in the sector.
University clinics at the forefront of digitalisation
This milestone marks a further step in the digital transformation of the UAX Dental Clinics, where an average of 1,500 patients are treated each day using advanced technologies in diagnosis, planning and treatment, establishing the clinics as a leading European centre for healthcare training and clinical dental care. The UAX Healthcare Campus, comprising the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, the Veterinary Simulation Centre, the Virtual Simulation Hospital and the Pharmacy Simulation Classroom, located on its Villanueva de la Cañada campus, and which also includes the Dental Clinics, enables the replication of real-world working environments, facilitating a distinctive training programme in which students engage with the technology that will shape the future of clinical practice.
Another step towards the dentistry of the future
With this initiative, UAX reinforces its position as a leading institution in dental education and the integration of technology applied to healthcare, moving towards a model in which robotics, artificial intelligence and digitalisation transform clinical practice and the patient experience.
