Is there a learning curve in static computer-assisted implant surgery? A prospective clinical study

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Surgical Technology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Static computer-assisted surgery (s-CAS) aims to enhance implantology outcomes.
• Understanding the learning curve is crucial for adopting new surgical technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the learning curve associated with static computer-assisted surgery (s-CAS) in implantology.
• To assess the accuracy of implant placement using s-CAS in partially and totally edentulous patients.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study adhering to STROBE guidelines.
• Two surgeons with implantology experience but no s-CAS experience treated 12 patients (6 partially, 6 totally edentulous).
• Preoperative and postoperative CT scans were used to measure coronal, apical, and angular deviations, and positioning error for 56 implants.

Main Results:

• Mean coronal deviation: 0.87 mm (partially edentulous) and 1.24 mm (totally edentulous).
• Mean apical deviation: 1.13 mm (partially edentulous) and 1.52 mm (totally edentulous).
• Mean angular deviation: 2.63° (partially edentulous) and 3.59° (totally edentulous).
• Mean positioning error: 0.80 mm (partially edentulous) and 1.14 mm (totally edentulous).

Conclusions:

• The study did not identify a typical 'learning curve' effect for static computer-assisted surgery in implantology.
• Surgeons experienced in implantology may adapt to s-CAS without a discernible learning phase based on accuracy metrics.