Implant placement accuracy using computer-guided surgical templates supported by bone and mucosa: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE

This in vitro study evaluated the accuracy of virtual planning for single implant placement in the regions of teeth 33 and 43, comparing bone-supported and mucosa-supported guides. A secondary analysis assessed differences related to insertion method, since implant placement in the 43 region used a manual ratchet and in the 33 region used a motorized handpiece.

METHODOLOGY: In total, 32 implants were placed in 16 edentulous artificial mandibles (8 using bone-supported guides and 8 using mucosa-supported guides), with two implants per mandible. Implant positions were assessed using computed tomography and compared with the virtual plan using ImageJ (2.16.0/1.54p) and OneViewerApp (version 1.18.0.0, 2023). Statistical analysis was performed on Jamovi (p<0.05). Linear deviations between the planned and actual implant placement were compared using t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test, depending on data distribution.

RESULTS

Results indicated greater deviations for mucosa-supported guides, especially in the buccolingual direction, whereas bone-supported guides exhibited greater accuracy.

CONCLUSION

Within the limitations of this in vitro study, the type of guide support may influence implant placement accuracy and should be carefully considered, particularly in procedures requiring high precision. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in clinical settings.