Exploring training dental implant placement using computer-guided implant navigation system for predoctoral students:...

Area of Science:

• Dental Surgery
• Medical Simulation
• Surgical Training Technology

Background:

• Dynamic navigation systems offer a new method for training in implant surgery.
• This study evaluated learning progress in dental implant placement using dynamic navigation in a simulated environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the learning curve of dental students in implant placement using a dynamic navigation system.
• To quantify improvements in surgical time and accuracy over multiple implant placement attempts.

Main Methods:

• Senior dental students with no prior implant experience performed five implant placement attempts on a simulation model.
• The Navident Dynamic Guidance system was used for planning and execution.
• Surgical time and discrepancies (horizontal, vertical, angulation) between planned and placed implant positions were measured using CBCT scans.

Main Results:

• Surgical time decreased significantly between the first and second attempts, then plateaued.
• Overall 3D angulation and 2D vertical apex deviation improved with practice.
• Implant site significantly influenced lateral 2D, 2D vertical, and overall 3D apex deviations.

Conclusions:

• Novice operators demonstrated significant improvements in speed and angulation accuracy within the first three implant placement attempts.
• Computer-aided dynamic implant navigation systems enhance surgical training for novice dental professionals.