Objectives: The aim of this human cadaver study was to compare the accuracy of guided versus free-hand zygomatic implant placement. For the guided implant placement laser sintered titanium templates were used.
Methods: Forty zygomatic implants were placed in ten cadavers heads. For each case two implants were inserted using the guided protocol (Ezgoma guide, Noris Medical, Israel) and the related surgical kit and the other two by using a free hand approach. Post-operative computed tomography (CT) scans were carried out to assess the deviations between planned and inserted implants. The accuracy was measured by overlaying the post-operative CT scan (with the final position of the achieved implants) with the pre-operative CT scan (with the planned implants).
Results: The difference of the mean between planned and placed zygomatic implants by using surgical guides or free hand were statistically significant for all the variables evaluated: angular deviation (1.19°±0.40° and 4.92°±1.71°, p<0.001), linear distance deviation at coronal point (0.88 mm±0.33 mm and 2.04 mm±0.56 mm, p<0.001), at apical point (0.79 mm±0.23 mm and 3.23 mm±1.43 mm, p<0.001) and at apical depth (0.35 mm±0.25 mm and 1.02 mm±0.61 mm, p<0.001).
Conclusions: The proposed guided surgery system exhibited a higher accuracy for all the investigated variables, when compared to the free hand technique.
Keywords: Accuracy; CAD/CAM; Computer aided implantology; Dynamic navigation; Guidance; Guided surgery; Navigation; Pterygoid implants; Surgical guides; Surgical templates; Zygomatic implant.
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