The Use of Orientation Templates and Free-Hand Implant Insertion in Artificial Mandibles—An Experimental Laboratory Examination in Fifth-Year Dental Students

Implant dentistry is a growing field in the education of undergraduate dental students. The present laboratory study evaluates factors which may potentially influence the accuracy of free-hand implant insertion and the use of an orientation template. After three-dimensional planning using coDiagnostiX(TM), orientation templates, including sleeves for the pilot-drill in regions 41 and 45, were manufactured by thermoforming. Sixty-one fifth year dental students inserted one implant using the orientation template and another implant free-hand in an artificial mandible. Information regarding age, sex, handedness, education, and the time required for implant insertion were recorded. Subsequently, the mandibles were scanned using cone-beam-computed tomography and the accuracy of the implant position was assessed, while statistical analysis followed. The free-hand implant insertion resulted in a distal deviation of −1.34 ± 5.15° and a mesial mismatch of 0.06 ± 0.79 mm at the artificial bone level compared to the sleeves. When using the orientation templates, the deviation decreased to −0.67 ± 3.48° and a distal mismatch of −0.22 ± 0.62 mm was achieved. The difference was statistically significant for the mismatch (p < 0.049). Regarding the limitations of our study, it could be said that the accuracy level achieved by dental undergraduates using implant placement with orientation templates is comparable to that in other studies.