Virtually planned and template-guided implant surgery: an experimental model matching approach.

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to assess positional deviations between the implant replicas in the pre-operative plaster model created from a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) surgical template and the implant replicas in the post-operative plaster model that was made from patients' impressions taken at ≥1-year follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred and thirty-nine implants were inserted in 25 edentulous jaws using Nobel Guide(™). Plaster models containing the implant replicas, one created from the surgical template before surgery and the other created from patients' impressions at ≥1-year follow-up, were scanned using a measuring device. Implant positions were matched with the best-fit alignment. Deviation was calculated at the level of the hex and the apex. The results were compared with a computed tomography matching study. Data were analysed using the paired t-test (α=0.05). RESULTS There were positional deviations of implant replicas between pre- and post-operative plaster models both at the hex and the apex. The geometric mean of the deviation at the apex was 0.59 mm in the maxilla and 0.4 mm in the mandible. At the hex, it was 0.59 mm in the maxilla and 0.39 mm in the mandible. CONCLUSIONS Statistically significant differences were observed in positions between the implant replicas in the pre-operative plaster models created from a CAD/CAM surgical template and the implant replicas in the post-operative plaster models that were made from patients' impressions taken at ≥1-year follow-up. Due to the lack of reference objects in the pre- and post-operative working casts, additional refinements are required in order to validate the impression matching method and recommend the method to be used.