A retrospective study of the accuracy of template-guided vs. freehand implant placement: a non-radiological method

Publication date: Available online 16 January 2019

Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology

Author(s): Vasilios Alevizakos, Gergo Mitov, Marcus Stoetzer, Constantin von See

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this retrospective case study was to evaluate the implant placement accuracy for inexperienced clinicians compared to the preoperatively planned implant position when using a surgical guide template vs. the freehand method.

Materials and methods

Oral implant therapy was performed by inexperienced dental practitioners (< 20 implants placed) on eligible patients after Cone Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT)-based software planning. Two patients' groups were formed according to the surgical technique: guided and freehand implant placement. Casts, used for the fabrication of the reconstructions were scanned using a 3D laser scanner, the implant positions were superimposed with preoperative planning data and the three-dimensional deviations were calculated.

Results

Twenty adult patients were included in this retrospective study (with 20 guided and 21 freehand placed implants). The mean calculated deviations, when using a surgical guide template were significantly lower compared to the freehand method, concerning angulation (p = 0.002), apical (p = 0.002) and basal position (p = 0.012). No significant differences in the implant placement accuracy were detected within the groups according to the implant position (premolars / molars; upper jaw / lower jaw) (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Computer-aided planning and the use surgical guides in accordance with CBCT images may help inexperienced clinicians to place implants with a high accuracy.

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