Dynamic navigation-assisted flapless implant placement in the posterior mandible: a retrospective and comparative study.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of flapless implant placement in the posterior mandibular region assisted by dynamic real-time navigation.

STUDY

DESIGN

This study involved 75 patients with missing posterior mandibular teeth, divided into dynamic navigation (25), static guide (27), and freehand groups (23). Postoperative measurements included implant deviations, distance from the implant apex to the nerve canal, residual bone height, insertion depth, peri-implant gingival health, marginal bone resorption, and implant success rate.

RESULTS

This study analyzed 96 implants: 32 dynamic navigation, 34 static guide, and 30 freehand. In the dynamic navigation group, neck, apex and angle deviations were significantly smaller compared to the freehand group (P <0.05). The apex and angle deviation were also smaller than the static guide group (P <0.05). Compared with other two groups, the mean distance from the implant apex to the inferior alveolar nerve canal was significantly smaller (P <0.05). The mean implant insertion depth was significantly greater (P <0.05). The utilization rate of residual bone volume was significantly higher (P <0.05). There were no significant differences in marginal bone loss or peri-implant gingival health among the groups (P >0.05).

CONCLUSION

Dynamic navigation-assisted flapless implantation ensures surgical safety and visualization precision, protects the inferior alveolar nerve, makes full use of residual bone volume. This method achieves precise, minimally invasive, and safe surgery, making it worthy of clinical promotion.