Accuracy and Operative Time of Three Dynamic Navigation Systems for Fibre Post Removal: An In Vitro Comparative Study

This in vitro study compared the accuracy and operative removal time of three dynamic navigation systems for fibre post removal using standardised 3D-printed tooth replicas. Forty-eight identical maxillary incisor replicas containing cemented fibre posts were randomly allocated to three navigation-guided groups and a freehand group (n = 12). Virtual drilling paths were planned from cone-beam computed tomography images, and all procedures were performed by a single operator. Pre- and postoperative micro-computed tomography scans were used to measure coronal, apical and angular deviation. All navigation-guided groups showed significantly lower apical and angular deviation than the freehand group, whereas no significant differences were observed among the three navigation-guided systems. Coronal deviation was similar across groups. One navigation system required significantly less operative removal time than the other groups without compromising accuracy. Within the limitations of this laboratory study, dynamic navigation improved the precision of fibre post removal compared with the freehand technique.