Accuracy of guided versus freehand implant placement for in vitro models using 3D-printed surgical guides

TL;DR

3D-printed surgical guides improve the accuracy of implant placement compared to freehand methods in lab models.

Contribution

This study empirically demonstrates that 3D-printed guides reduce placement deviations and operator variability in implant surgery.

Findings

Guided implants showed significantly lower angular, horizontal, and vertical deviations than freehand placements.

Use of 3D-printed guides reduced operator variability in implant positioning.

Guided surgery improves predictability and clinical performance of implant placement.

Abstract

Proper positioning of implants is necessary in attaining optimum functional and aesthetic results, but freehand methods tend to result
in displacement. Therefore, it is of interest to compare the accuracy of 3D-printed surgical guides and free hand placement of implants in
polyurethane jaw models. Angular, horizontal and vertical deviation was much lower with guided implants than with freehand placement.
Guided surgery also significantly decreased operator variability. Three dimensional printed surgical maps increase the accuracy of implant
placement, which justify that they should be used to promote better predictability and clinical performance.