Auxiliary Reflectance Sensor for Guided Surgery with Dental Implants: In Vitro Study

Objectives  The aim of this research was to develop a sensor of approximation by reflectance for guided surgery with dental implants without flap detachment, and verify the effectiveness of this system. Materials and Methods  Ten models of total edentulous arches were divided into two groups. Two implants of 3.5 × 11.5 mm (NeoDent) were inserted in each model; in Group 1 (G1), a stereolithographic guide NeoGuide system was used. In Group 2 (G2), the experimental approximation sensor was used for the insertion of the implants. The evaluation of the results was performed by overlapping the virtual planning images with the tomographies of the models of the implants inserted. Results  There were no statistically significant differences between the guide and the sensor groups. The averages and standard deviations observed at the angulation of the guide was 4.15 (2.65 degrees) and 5.48 (2.85 degrees) at the sensor. The linear deviations at the cervical level were 0.002 (1.37) and 0.11 (1.47) mm and at the apical level 0.19 (1.28) and 0.21 (1.42) mm, respectively. Conclusions  The use of a guide is important for the stabilization of the drills; the greatest challenge is to control the apical position of the implants, especially in highly reabsorbed edges. The experimental sensor can become an auxiliary tool to the stereolithographic guides; however, several difficulties must still be overcome to recommend the use of a sensor.