Assessment of the Influence of Implant Design on the Accuracy of Implant Placement Using Static Computer-Aided Implant Surgery: an in vitro study

Abstract

Evolving advances in the field of implant dentistry aim to continue improving the predictability of implant therapy in replacing missing teeth. The aim of this research project is to investigate the influence of implant body thread design on the accuracy of implant placement using computer-aided implant surgery, specifically comparing the impact of two implant designs. It was hypothesized that the more aggressive thread design of the BLX implant will lead to greater 3D deviation in both healed (type 4) and extraction socket (type 1) sites, compared to the less aggressive BLC design. The study used acrylic bone models simulating a human maxillary arch with missing teeth, and implants were placed using a complete digital workflow and the deviation between planned and actual implant positions were measured using a digital software. The results revealed BLX implants were more accurate in both type 1 and type 4 sites, and also showed that type 4 had less deviation than type 1 scenarios. Limitations of the study include the use of bone models and alloy implant replicas, which do not fully replicate human bone or titanium implant surfaces, though these limitations were standardized to isolate the variables of interest, such as thread design. Although the results showing statistical significance, more clinical research is needed to corelate clinical relevance and formulate clinical recommendations.