Abstract
BackgroundAs a growing field in dentistry, the practical education during the undergraduate curriculum in implant dentistry should be extended. Not only the theoretical background but also practical skills are crucial to place implants in patients. In order to determine the exact implant position, several positioning aids are available. In the present laboratory study, the accuracy of implant insertion using two different guiding modes in a group of inexperienced participants was assessed.MethodsAfter three-dimensional planning using the data of a cone beam computed tomography of artificial mandibles, surgical templates were manufactured by thermoforming. In region 35, a sleeve for the pilot drill was used, whereas in region 45, a sleeve allowing a full-guided implant insertion was inserted. Subsequently, a total of 104 implants were placed by 52 undergraduates. Radiographical assessment of the three-dimensional accuracy was performed. Furthermore, the time required to insert the implants was recorded. Statistical analysis followed.DiscussionWhen comparing the three-dimensional accuracy of the virtually planned to the actual inserted implant, a statistically significantly higher accuracy in three-dimensional angulation was achieved for the full-guided (3.388 ± 1.647°) compared to the pilot-drill guided mode (5.792 ± 3.290°). Furthermore, the time required to insert the implant was shorter for the full-guided template (6.23 ± 1.78 min) vs. for the pilot-drill guided (8.84 ± 2.39 min). Both differences reached a statistical significance (p < 0.001).ConclusionWithin the limit of this laboratory study, the results suggest that inexperienced surgeons benefit from a full-guided implant insertion. However, the clinical effects have to be discussed as the mismatch was varying in the decimillimeter range.
Highlights
As a growing field in dentistry, the practical education during the undergraduate curriculum in implant dentistry should be extended
It seems it would be helpful to provide undergraduate students with a theoretical background and practical training under close guidance when performing their first steps in dental implantology [8, 9]
It has been stated that the practical training and a familiarity with the specific surgical protocols are essential for dental students before placing dental implants clinically [10, 11]
Summary
As a growing field in dentistry, the practical education during the undergraduate curriculum in implant dentistry should be extended. It seems it would be helpful to provide undergraduate students with a theoretical background and practical training under close guidance when performing their first steps in dental implantology [8, 9]. Dimitrijevic et al reported that in a skill test, the estimation of correct distances and depths was a problem for the majority of dental undergraduates [12] This might cause problems when having to determine the correct position of a dental implant. In order to provide undergraduate students a possibility to train these skills in vitro and become familiar with a commonly applied method of determining the correct implant position and angulation, a laboratory implant course where the planned implant positions are transferred by the use of a template was established in the dental curriculum in our faculty. This feedback might be considered as a kind of quality-controlled training which can be directly related to the patients’ safety [13]
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