An alternative method for immediate implant-supported restoration of anterior teeth assisted by fully guided templates: A clinical study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Immediate implant-supported restorations have become a common treatment strategy in the esthetic zone; however, improvements are necessary in the techniques used to fabricate interim prostheses. PURPOSE: This clinical study evaluated an alternative method for the immediate restoration of anterior teeth by using a fully guided template. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five participants were enrolled, and 30 implants were inserted by using fully guided templates. Eleven participants and 14 implant sites were treated with immediate implant placement. Fourteen participants and 16 implant sites were treated with delayed implant placement. The same method was used for immediate restoration in all the participants. A postoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan was compared with the preoperative planning to measure the deviation between the placed and the planned implants. The independent t test was used for the comparison of immediate and delayed implant placement (alpha=.05). Any complications occurring in the following 3 months were also recorded. RESULTS: None of the interim prostheses needed significant adjustments and were successfully installed on implants after the surgery. The overall mean deviations in 3D coronal, buccolingual coronal, mesiodistal coronal, 3D apical, buccolingual apical, mesiodistal apical, depth, and angle were 0.6 +/-0.3 mm, 0.4 +/-0.2 mm, 0.2 +/-0.1 mm, 1.0 +/-0.4 mm, 0.7 +/-0.4 mm, 0.3 +/-0.2 mm, 0.4 +/-0.3 mm, and 1.9 +/-1.1 degrees, respectively. The linear and angular deviations exhibited no significant differences (P>.05) between immediate and delayed implant placement. No complications developed in the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: In the anterior esthetic zone, this alternative method appears to be suitable for immediate restoration. The accuracy of fully guided surgery was clinically acceptable for the prefabricated interim prostheses and helped reduce postoperative chairside time.