The accuracy of a 3D printing surgical guide determined by CBCT and model analysis

The aim of this clinical study was to assess the accuracy of the implants placed using a universal digital surgical guide.

Among 17 patients, 28 posterior implants were included in this study. The digital image of the soft tissue acquired from cast scan and hard tissue from CBCT have been superimposed and planned the location, length, diameter of the implant fixture. Then digital surgical guides were created using 3D printer. Each of angle deviations, coronal, apical, depth deviations of planned and actually placed implants were calculated using CBCT scans and casts. To compare implant positioning errors by CBCT scans and plaster casts, data were analyzed with independent samples t-test.

The results of the implant positioning errors calculated by CBCT and casts were as follows. The means for CBCT analyses were: angle deviation: 4.74 ± 2.06°, coronal deviation: 1.37 ± 0.80 mm, and apical deviation: 1.77 ± 0.86 mm. The means for cast analyses were: angle deviation: 2.43 ± 1.13°, coronal deviation: 0.82 ± 0.44 mm, apical deviation: 1.19 ± 0.46 mm, and depth deviation: 0.03 ± 0.65 mm. There were statistically significant differences between the deviations of CBCT scans and cast.

The model analysis showed lower deviation value comparing the CBCT analysis. The angle and length deviation value of the universal digital guide stent were accepted clinically.