Accuracy and efficiency of a calibration approach in dynamic navigation for implant placement: An in vitro study

Computer-assisted dynamic navigation surgery could provide accurate implant placement. However, its low efficiency was always criticized by dental surgeons. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of a calibration approach with reflective wafers in dynamic navigation for implant placement.

Eighty implants were placed in the standardized polyurethane mandibular models under dynamic navigation and divided into 2 groups according to the calibration methods (n = 40). The U-shaped tube (UT) group used a prefabricated U-shaped tube embedded with radiopaque markers. The reflective wafers (RW) group used a fixation with 3 round reflective wafers as markers. Postoperative cone beam computed tomography images were obtained for implants deviation analyses. The calibration time was used to evaluate the efficiency of the 2 methods.

Significant differences were found in the trueness and efficiency between the 2 groups (P < 0.05). The 3D deviations at the implant platform and apex were smaller in UT group (0.89 ± 0.28 and 0.79 ± 0.30 mm, respectively) than in the RW group (0.99 ± 0.28 and 0.98 ± 0.30 mm, respectively). The angular deviation was larger in the UT group (2.16 ± 1.12°) than in the RW group (1.53 ± 0.88°). The calibration approach of RW group was more efficient than the UT group (2.05 ± 0.55 and 7.50 ± 0.71 min, respectively).

The calibration method of RW improved the efficiency significantly and achieved equivalent trueness with UT for dynamic navigation during implant placement.