Statement of Problem
Even though high precision technologies have been used in
computer-guided implant surgery, studies have shown that linear and angular
deviations between the planned and placed implants can be expected.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of operator
experience on the accuracy of implant placement with a computer-guided
surgery protocol.
Material and Methods
Ten surgically experienced and 10 surgically inexperienced operators
participated in this study. Each operator placed 1 dental implant (Replace
Select) on the partially edentulous mandibular model that had been planned
with software by following a computer-guided surgery (NobelGuide) protocol.
Three-dimensional information of the planned and placed implants were then
superimposed. The horizontal and vertical linear deviations at both the apex
and platform levels and the angular deviation were measured and compared
between the experienced and inexperienced groups with the independent
t test with Bonferroni adjustment (α=.01). The
magnitude and direction of the horizontal deviations were also measured and
recorded.
Results
No significant differences were found in the angular and linear
deviations between the 2 groups (P>.01). Although
not statistically significant (P>.01), the amount
of vertical deviation in the coronal direction of the implants placed by the
inexperienced operators was about twice that placed by the experienced
operators. Overall, buccal apical deviations were most frequent and of the
highest magnitude.
Conclusion
When a computer-guided protocol was used, the accuracy of the
vertical dimension (depth of implant placement) was most influenced by the
operator’s level of experience.
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