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Updated: May 13, 2026
Dynamic Navigation for Dental Implant Placement
Published on: September 13, 2022
Comparing Accuracy of Cylindrical and Tapered Implants Using Autonomous Robotic System: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Miaomiao Tian1, Zhiyuan Shu1, Shanshan Shi1
1National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Shaanxi Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shaanxi Engineering Research Center for Dental Materials and Advanced Manufacture, Department of Oral Implants, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
Tapered implants showed superior accuracy in robotic dental implant placement compared to cylindrical implants. This resulted in better apical and angular positioning and a faster, more efficient surgical process.
Area of Science:
- Dental Implantology
- Robotic Surgery
- Biomaterials Engineering
Background:
- Accurate dental implant placement is crucial for successful outcomes.
- Autonomous robotic systems offer potential for enhanced precision in implant surgery.
- Evaluating the influence of implant geometry on robotic placement accuracy is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically compare the placement accuracy of cylindrical implants (CI) versus tapered implants (TI) using an autonomous robotic system.
- To assess secondary outcomes including surgical time and insertion torque value (ITV).
Main Methods:
- Forty patients with single-tooth loss were randomized to receive either CI or TI.
- All implants were planned digitally and placed using an autonomous robotic system.
- Primary outcomes measured were coronal, apical, and angular deviations; secondary outcomes included surgery time and ITV.
Main Results:
- Tapered implants (TI) demonstrated significantly smaller apical (0.70 ± 0.23 mm) and angular deviations (1.18° ± 0.46°) compared to cylindrical implants (CI) (0.91 ± 0.38 mm and 1.76° ± 1.02°, respectively).
- Implantation time was significantly shorter for TI (5.88 ± 2.34 min) versus CI (9.84 ± 5.45 min).
- Insertion torque value (ITV) was lower for TI (24.33 ± 11.47 Ncm) compared to CI (31.75 ± 10.17 Ncm).
Conclusions:
- Both implant shapes achieved clinically acceptable accuracy with robotic placement.
- Tapered implants offer statistically superior apical and angular accuracy and a more efficient surgical process.
- Further research is recommended to validate the clinical significance of these findings.
