Accuracy of dental implant positioning as achieved in practice

Objectives: To evaluate dental positioning as achieved in practice and to investigate influencing factors.
Methods: Data of patients’ files treated with were obtained and digitised. Angular relationships between implants and adjacent structures and horizontal distance between implants and adjacent structures were measured. Statistical analysis was conducted for results.
Results: 278 implants inserted for 121 patients were measured. Implants were found to be more parallel to the mesial tooth (181.31º±0.58º) than mesial implant (175.43º±0.99º, P=0.001), and as expected, a smaller horizontal distance was seen between implant-tooth (2.07mm±0.13mm) than implant-implant (3.29mm±0.33mm, P=0.001Posteriorly placed implants were found to be less parallel (165.23º±1.79) than anterior (179.44º±0.75º, P=0.010) and premolar implants (174.34º±1.11º, P=0.001). No significant difference was seen in the angulation between implants and adjacent structures with or without the use of a positional guide; however, using positional guides resulted in greater horizontal distances between implant-implant (4.53±0.59mm) compared to those placed without the guide (2.85±0.49mm, P=0.037).
Conclusions: Implants were mostly positioned accurately in practice. Implants were found to be more parallel to adjacent teeth than implants, hence adjacent teeth rather than implants should be considered for accurate implant placement. Special attention should be given while placing implants at the posterior regions, as they tend to be less parallel. As surgeons tend to place implants in the ideal distance from adjacent implants, a positional stent is warranted whenever a different position is required for rehabilitation.