Accuracy and safety of dynamic navigation vs. freehand approach in indirect sinus lift and immediate implant placement: A split mouth clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the accuracy and safety of indirect sinus lift and immediate implant placement in maxillary posterior partially edentulous sites, using dynamic navigation versus freehand placement. The study also aimed to compare the procedural time for both these techniques and the patient satisfaction following treatment. METHODS: This split-mouth study was conducted over two years, involving 28 patients, with a total of 64 implants placed. After data collection, 62 implants were included in the final analysis. Each patient required bilateral indirect sinus lifts with immediate implant placement. The study compared angular deviation, deviation at entry, and Apex Deviation between Group A (Dynamic Computer-Assisted Implant Surgery, dCAIS) and Group B (freehand placement). RESULTS: The study revealed a statistically significant difference across all three measured parameters between the two groups. For angular deviation, the DNS group demonstrated a mean of 2.768 degrees , which was substantially lower than the 11.094 degrees observed in the freehand group. The deviation at entry was significantly lower in the DNS group, averaging 1.510 mm compared to 2.687 mm in the freehand group. The mean apex deviation in the DNS group was 2.719 mm, markedly less than the 3.913 mm recorded in the freehand group. CONCLUSION: Real-time dynamic navigation in implant surgery offers greater accuracy and safety compared to freehand techniques, particularly in complex procedures such as indirect sinus lift and immediate implant placement. The technology significantly reduces deviations, enhancing clinical outcomes in dental implantology. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Real-time dynamic navigation in implant surgery improves clinical outcomes by offering enhanced accuracy and safety, particularly in complex procedures like indirect sinus lifts and immediate implant placements. By minimizing deviations during surgery, this technology reduces the risk of complications, contributing to more predictable and successful dental restorations.