Purpose : A dynamic navigation system specifically for implant placement surgery has been introduced in Japan. Unlike conventional guided surgery, a new surgical procedure is required for implant surgery using this system. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether past implant placement experience affects placement accuracy during implant surgery using a dynamic navigation system.

Methods : The subjects were divided into a group with abundant implant placement experience (n＝5) and an inexperienced group (n＝20). Implant placement surgery was performed on a mandibular demonstration model using X-Guide^®. After placement, the difference between the setting position and the actual placement position (starting point, tip position, embedding depth, embedding angle) was examined using the double scan method.

Results : Comparisons were made between the two groups with different implant placement experience for each endpoint, but the errors in all measurement points were not significantly different between the two groups. Furthermore, the subjects were divided by length of career working as a dentist into those with less than 10 years (n＝15) and 10 years or more (n＝10), and the same examination was conducted. Again, there was no significant difference between the two groups in all the measurement points. A similar comparative study was performed by age bracket of the surgeon, but there was no significant difference in the error values in any of the four measurement points.

Conclusion : The placement accuracy of the dynamic navigation system was not correlated with age, length of career as a dentist, or implant placement experience. Therefore, it is suggested that sufficient training is required when using this system regardless of experience with implants.