Efficacy of digital templates in edentulous implant placement: a retrospective study

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the accuracy of a digital template on the three-dimensional accuracy of edentulous implantation through a retrospective study to provide more clinical evidence for the use of digital templates in edentulous patient.

This study evaluates the efficacy of a digital surgical template in edentulous jaws, comparing preoperative plans with postoperative outcomes across four metrics: platform, apex, depth, and angular deviations. Utilizing a patient with an edentulous maxilla as a case study, this research employs CBCT for preoperative and postoperative assessments, with deviations analyzed via 3-Shape software. Comparing these deviations with average deviations in lierature.

The average platform deviations at positions 12, 14, 16, 22, 24, 26 were 0.98 ± 0.03 mm, 1.43 ± 0.02 mm, 1.27 ± 0.04 mm, 1.35 ± 0.03 mm, 1.34 ± 0.02 mm, and 1.42 ± 0.03 mm, respectively. The average apex deviations were 1.28 ± 0.02 mm, 1.39 ± 0.03 mm, 1.47 ± 0.04 mm, 1.26 ± 0.04 mm, 1.40 ± 0.04 mm, and 1.48 ± 0.03 mm, respectively, the average angular deviations were 3.50°± 0.08°, 2.87°± 0.07°, 3.49°± 0.06°, 3.36°± 0.10°, 3.41°± 0.13°, and 3.69°± 0.11°, and average depth deviations were 0.29 ± 0.03 mm, 0.26 ± 0.05 mm, 0.59 ± 0.05 mm, 0.28 ± 0.04 mm, 0.47 ± 0.02 mm, 0.53 ± 0.03 mm. Compared with a total mean deviation of 1.2 mm (1.04 mm to 1.44 mm) of platform deviation, 1.4 mm (1.28 mm to 1.58 mm) of apex deviation, angular deviation of 3.5°(3.0° to 3.96°) and depth deviation of 0.2 mm (-0.25 mm to 0.57 mm) reported in literature. While all measured deviations fell within clinically acceptable limits, certain parameters exceeded the benchmarks, suggesting areas for improvement in digital surgical planning and execution.

This study indicates that while all measured deviations fell within clinically acceptable limits, certain parameters exceeded the benchmarks, suggesting areas for improvement in digital surgical planning and execution. Based on these data, the potential of digital guide plates to fulfill precision requirements in edentulous jaw implantation can be proved, contributing valuable insights into the optimization of implant surgery protocols.

Now, the digital template is accepted by many doctors. However, clinical research has not thoroughly verified whether the new digital technology is more accurate than traditional technology. So, this study aims to explore the effect of a whole-process digital template on edentulous implantation and provide more clinical evidence.