Objectives: The aim of the present prospective clinical study was to evaluate the match between the positions and axes of the virtually planned and the placed implants using laboratory-based surgical guides generated from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Materials and methods: A total of 132 implants were placed with the aid of 3D-based transfer templates in 52 consecutive partially edentulous patients between April 2008 and March 2010. After individual adaptation of the scan templates and CBCT scanning, the acquired data for virtual implant planning and simulation were processed using the med3D software program. After finalizing the virtual placement of the implants the radiographic templates were converted into operative guides containing titanium sleeves for cavity preparation. Preoperative planning was merged with postoperative CBCT data to identify linear and angular deviations between virtually planned and placed implants.
Results: Compared with the planned implants the installed implants showed linear deviations in the median at the neck and apex of 0.27 mm (range 0.01-0.97 mm), and of 0.46 mm (range 0.03-1.38 mm), respectively. The angle deviation was 1.84° in median, with a range of 0.07-6.26°. The extent of deviation depends on the size of the tooth gap and the distribution of the remaining teeth.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that laboratory-fabricated surgical guides using CBCT data may be reliable in implant placement under prosthodontic considerations in partial edentulism.
© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.