Guided surgery with tooth-supported templates for single missing teeth: A critical review

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Surgical Technology
• Evidence-Based Dentistry

Background:

• Computer-guided implant surgery (CGIS) is increasingly utilized for precise dental restorations.
• Evaluating the accuracy and clinical outcomes of CGIS for single missing teeth is crucial for evidence-based practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the scientific literature on the accuracy of computer-guided implant placement for single missing teeth.
• To analyze the clinical advantages and treatment outcomes associated with CGIS.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted from January 2002 to November 2015.
• Included studies assessed accuracy, implant/prosthetic failures, complications, marginal bone loss, and aesthetic outcomes.

Main Results:

• 32 studies involving 209 patients and 342 implants met the inclusion criteria.
• Computer-guided surgery demonstrated reliable implant positioning and favorable outcomes, with cumulative survival rates from 96.5% to 100%.

Conclusions:

• CGIS for single missing teeth provides accurate planning and positioning, leading to favorable clinical and aesthetic results.
• Tooth-supported templates offer superior accuracy compared to mucosa- or bone-supported alternatives.
• While CGIS shows comparable survival rates to conventional methods, long-term randomized trials are needed to confirm cost-effectiveness and clinical performance.