Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026
Designing CAD/CAM Surgical Guides for Maxillary Reconstruction Using an In-house Approach
Published on: August 24, 2018
Using material extrusion 3D printing for static computer-assisted implant surgery: An in vitro accuracy study
Diego Diaz Gamba1, Georgi Talmazov2, Malte Bagratuni3
1Department of Prosthodontics, Geriatric Dentistry and Craniomandibular Disorders, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Material extrusion (ME) and digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing are accurate for static computer-assisted implant surgery (sCAIS). Implant site impacts accuracy more than the 3D printing method used.
Area of Science:
- Dental Implantology
- 3D Printing Technologies
- Computer-Assisted Surgery
Background:
- Static computer-assisted implant surgery (sCAIS) offers precision in dental procedures.
- 3D printing technologies, including material extrusion (ME) and digital light processing (DLP), are increasingly utilized for fabricating surgical guides.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare the accuracy of sCAIS using commercial implant planning software with ME and DLP 3D printing technologies.
- To assess the influence of implant site on the accuracy of 3D-printed surgical guides.
Main Methods:
- A mandibular typodont model with missing teeth was used for virtual planning.
- Surgical guides were designed and fabricated using ME and DLP 3D printing.
- Forty implants were placed using a fully-guided protocol.
- Accuracy was measured via coronal, apical, and angular deviations, and depths using 3D analysis.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in accuracy were found between ME and DLP 3D printing technologies (p>0.05).
- The implant site significantly affected accuracy, particularly for coronal and apical deviations (p<0.01).
- No significant interaction was observed between the 3D printing method and the implant site.
Conclusions:
- Material extrusion (ME) 3D printing is a viable, accurate, and cost-effective method for manufacturing static computer-assisted implant surgery (sCAIS) guides.
- While variability exists, ME 3D printing simplifies workflows and enhances patient access to guided implant surgery.
- Implant site is a critical factor influencing the accuracy of guided implant placement.
