What Accessories Do I Need for Custom Tracker Arm Cases?

Standard tooth-borne tracker arms work well for many cases — but when anatomy doesn't cooperate, you need a custom solution. Edentulous arches, compromised dentition, or limited interocclusal space can all make off-the-shelf options unreliable.

A custom tracker arm is designed from your patient's CBCT and intraoral scan data, ensuring a precise, stable fit that holds the navigation array exactly where X-Guide® needs it throughout the procedure.

Before your case day, make sure you have everything on hand. Here's the full list:

• Custom tracker arm— lab-fabricated or 3D-printed from DPT's STL file
• Navigation array — the reflective marker array that clips onto the tracker arm
• Fixation screws — to secure the tracker arm to bone or tissue as needed
• Screwdriver / hex driver — matched to your fixation screw hex size
• X-Guide® calibration jig — for system calibration prior to navigation
• Bite registration material — if using a tooth-supported hybrid approach
• Sterile drape / barrier — to maintain asepsis around the tracker assembly

Pro tip: do a dry run the day before. Seat the tracker arm on the model, attach the array, and confirm everything clears the surgical field.

Placement matters.The tracker arm should be positioned so the navigation array stays within the X-Nav® camera's field of vision throughout the entire procedure — including when instruments are in the surgical field.

Test range of motion. Before starting, move through your planned drill sequence and verify the array stays visible to the cameras at every angle.

Have a backup plan. Keep a standard clip or bite-block tracker option sterilized and ready. If something shifts mid-case, you can switch without losing momentum.