Effect of Clinical Experience on Accuracy of Implant Placement Using Dynamic Navigation and Static Guidance: An In Vitro Study

This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of implants placed by clinicians with varying dental implant experience using dynamic navigation (DN) and static guidance (SG). Sixty identical custom-made, drillable maxillary models were fabricated, missing the right central incisor (#8) and left first molar (#14) with simulated gingival tissue. Models planned with a DN system and guided surgery software were randomly allocated to an experienced clinician, an inexperienced clinician, and a nonexperienced clinician. The accuracy of implant placement was evaluated by overlaying the preoperative virtual surgical plan with the postoperative cone beam computerized tomography scan. Deviations between the placed and planned implants were quantified using a mathematical algorithm. Independent-sample t tests revealed significant differences (p < .001) in angular deviation but not in coronal and apical deviations when comparing DN with SG for all 3 clinicians. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test found no significant differences between clinicians of varying dental implant experience in DN and SG groups. The study concluded that the level of dental implant experience and surgical site do not significantly impact the accuracy of implant placement when either DN or SG is used, and DN produced less angular deviation in comparison with SG. This finding suggests DN could benefit clinical settings, particularly for less experienced clinicians.