Comparison of the accuracy of pilot-drill-guided and fully guided implant surgery with dynamic navigation. In vitro model study

The aims of the present study are to measure and compare dental implant deviations with fully guided and pilot-drill-guided protocols using dynamic navigation systems in polyurethane models. The pilot-drill-guided group was determined to be the study group and included 12 implant applications. In this group, the pilot hole was drilled with navigation guidance, and the procedure was completed freehandedly. In the control group, all the drilling and implant placement steps were performed using the navigation system, and a total of 12 implants were placed. The pre- and postoperative images were compared to calculate the magnitude of implant deviation. The quantitative data of the two groups were compared using the independent-samples t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test. The analyses revealed that the length of the procedure significantly differed between the two groups (p < 0.001). The procedure duration was significantly shorter in the study group. The entry deviation values of the two groups were not significantly different (p = 0.079). The analysis revealed the apex deviation to be higher in the study group than in the control group (p = 0.003). However, the two-dimensional vertical apex deviation values of the implants were not significantly different between groups (p = 0.068). Angular deviation was determined to be significantly higher in the study group (p < 0.001). In the present study, all implants were successfully placed in the models using a dynamic navigation system. The results of this study may be useful for future clinical studies.