Accuracy of 2 Different Cad-Cam Devices for Implant Placement

Objective: CAD-CAM technology allows clinicians to plan implant position on CT images and to fabricate customized surgical templates for transferring this information to the surgical field. The aim of the present study was to investigate the accuracy of a new device (SAFE SurgiGuide) of a CAD-CAM system for implant placement (Simplant^®-Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) compared with the traditional one (SurgiGuide).

Methods: Ten patients were included and were treated with the Simplant^® system. All patients received a scannographic template and underwent CT-Dentascan. CT images were used for planning implant positioning with the SimplantPro^® software. Patients were divided into two groups: “SAFE SurgiGuide Group” (SSG), and “SurgiGuide Group” (SGG). Those in the SSG received implants with the SAFE SurgiGuide device, which uses special drills with stopping depth collars, one template with changeable drilling cylinders, and implant holders for fixture placement. In the SGG, 3 different templates (SurgiGuide) were used in each patient to guide drilling. Eighty-eight implants were placed. Two months after surgery, a control CT-scan was taken, and images of planned and placed implants were compared.

Results: Success rates for repetition of virtual and planned implant positions were: on the vestibular-oral/lingual axis, SSG = 98.35% vs. SGG = 47.39%; on the mesio-distal axis, SSG = 89.4% vs. SGG = 65.73%; and whole SSG = 96.62% vs. SGG = 56.97%. The distance from anatomical reference structures was always respected.

Conclusions: The Simplant^® System allows clinicians to make precise pre-surgical evaluations and treatment programs, and to transfer them securely to the surgical phase. Better results seemed to be obtained with the Safe SurgiGuide.