Accuracy of implant placement using three different surgical guides

Aim of the study: This study was done to evaluate and compare the accuracy of implant
placement using three differently constructed surgical guides (3D printed, laser sintered and CAD/
CAM milled surgical guides).
Materials and Methods: Eighteen implants were placed in partially edentulous patients having
maxillary bounded edentulous areas. Based on the method of construction, patients were divided
into three groups: group I, received 3D printed surgical guides, group II: received laser sintered
surgical guides and group III: received CAD/CAM milled surgical guides. Implant placement
evaluation included the difference between the planned and the actual implant sites regarding
the point of implant insertion (coronal deviation), apex position (apical deviation), and implant
angulation (angular deviation)
Results: The highest deviation values were obtained from group III (CAD/CAM milled surgical
guides) followed by group II (laser sintered surgical guides), while group I (3D printed surgical
guides) showed the least deviation values. There was a statistically significant difference between
group I (3D printed surgical guides)) and group III (CAD/CAM milled surgical guides) regarding
coronal deviation and apical deviation, also there was a statistically significant difference between
group II (laser sintered surgical guides) and group III (CAD/CAM milled surgical guides) regarding
coronal deviation and apical deviation, while there was no statistically significant difference between
group I (3D printed surgical guides) and group II (laser sintered surgical guides), besides there was
no statistically significant difference between the three groups regarding angular deviation.
Conclusion: 3D printed surgical guides had the best accuracy (minimal deviation) followed
by laser sintered surgical guides and the least accurate were the CAD/CAM milled surgical guide