In Vitro Accuracy of Static Guided Implant Surgery Measured by Optical Scan: Examining the Impact of Operator Experience

Chia-Cheng Lin,Hsin-Chung Cheng,Takashi Nezu,Takeo Maida,Kazuhiko Endo,Mao-Suan Huang,Bai-Hung Huang,Masahiro Ishikawa

doi:10.3390/app10082718

Abstract

Studies examining the effect of operator experience on the accuracy of static guided implant surgery have used postoperative computed tomography (CT) images to measure the error, with inconsistent results. The purpose of this study was to try to clarify this issue by using a measurement method based on the postoperative optical scan. Thirty dentists were divided into an experienced group and an inexperienced group. On a partially edentulous mandibular model in the manikin head, each dentist placed three implants via the stereolithographic (SLA) surgical guide. The implant positions were identified by a desktop scanner and compared with the planned positions using a metrology software program. No statistically significant differences were observed for any of the measured positional and angular deviations of the three implant sites between experienced and inexperienced operators (p > 0.01). All the mean values of deviations of the inexperienced group, except the depth deviation, were less than the experienced group. Implants inserted by dentists under 40 years old had significantly better accuracy than senior doctors in the global deviation at implant apex (p = 0.006). Within the limits of this study, we concluded that operator experience is not a critical factor in achieving the accuracy of guided implant surgery via the tooth-supported SLA surgical guide. Large deviations could occur even with the aid of the SLA surgical guide, and care must be taken to avoid errors for both experienced and inexperienced operators.

Highlights

Computer-guided implant surgery has gained popularity because it helps surgeons to plan and place dental implants efficiently [1], for which two types of techniques have been advocated: Appl
The inclusion criterion for the experienced group was dentists who had performed more than twenty guided implant surgeries; for the inexperienced group, it was dentists who had more than two years’ experience of dental practicing yet had never placed dental implants in a patient
The results of this study revealed that for mandibular partial edentulism of guided implant surgery

Summary

Introduction

Computer-guided implant surgery has gained popularity because it helps surgeons to plan and place dental implants efficiently [1], for which two types of techniques have been advocated: Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, 2718 static (template-based) and dynamic navigation [2]. The static approach is more popular because high-cost equipment is not needed. The static guided implant surgery can help surgeons to achieve ideal implant position and avoid damaging surrounding anatomical structures [3]. A proper implant position and angulation is essential for long-term success in terms of biomechanics and esthetics. To accomplish this treatment concept, a key determinant is the accuracy of the computer-guided implant placement [4]

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