Dental Implantation Techniques: Meta-Analysis of Digital vs. Non-Digital Protocols

CHINA: Researchers hailing from Shenzhen University, in collaboration with the Department of Artificial Intelligence at the Guangdong Association of Thoracic Disease, have conducted aa systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to scrutinise the effectiveness of digital-guided and non-digital protocols in dental implant planning, placement, and restorations. 

This research, authored by Bilu Xiang, Jiayi Yu, Jiayi Lu, and Zeping Yan, provides valuable insights into the role of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufactured (CAD/CAM) techniques in modern dentistry.

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Unveiling the Study Objectives

The core aim of this study was to systematically review RCTs that explored the application of CAD/CAM techniques in the intricate process of implant planning, placement, and rehabilitation within the dental field. The research team sought to shed light on whether digital approaches outshine traditional non-digital methods.

To arrive at their conclusions, the researchers embarked on an extensive literature search across databases such as MEDLINE-PubMed, CENTRAL, and EMBASE. They selected articles that met specific criteria, namely, RCTs pertaining to computer-guided impression, placement, and manufacturing processes in dental implantation. 

The researchers studied various outcomes, encompassing clinical and patient-reported results, while also assessing the efficiency of time. A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted, examining factors such as time efficiency, pain levels, implant placement accuracy, and post-surgery bone level maintenance.

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Digital Dominance

The comprehensive analysis of 39 articles for qualitative assessment and 25 articles for quantitative analysis yielded several notable findings:

• Time Efficiency: Digital impression procedures proved significantly quicker than their conventional counterparts (p=0.002).
• Prosthesis Adjustment Time: Digital fabrication of prostheses required significantly less adjustment time compared to non-digital fabrication (p=0.0005).
• Pain Management: Patients in the computer-guided groups reported markedly lower painkiller consumption than those in the control groups (p=0.03).

Drawing from the extensive review and analysis, the researchers found that digital impressions and CAD/CAM procedures not only save valuable time but consistently deliver stable and predictable outcomes in dental implantation. Furthermore, computer-guided surgery emerges as the champion, ensuring precise implant placement while minimising post-surgery discomfort.

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