OBJECTIVEThe computer aided design and computer aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) template was fabricated basing on CT data of completely edentulous jaws, and the accuracy of template was evaluated by assessment of the deviation between the actual and planning position of the implant after the registration of pre- and post-operative CT images.

METHODSThe CAD/CAM templates for 4 completely edentulous jaws were designed and fabricated basing on the pre-operative CT data and the stone models of the jaws sample. And 14 implants were placed in the posterior region of the jaws aided by the CAD/CAM template. The pre- and post-operative CT was registered by the point to point method, and the deviation between actual and virtual implants was measured to assess the accuracy of the template.

RESULTSWith the aid of CAD/CAM template, the deviations of the position at the tail of the implant, at the tip of the implant and the projected deviation of angle were (0.19 +/- 0.07) mm, (0.47 +/- 0.12) mm, and 1.790 +/- 0.68 degrees respectively, and the deviations of the position at the bucco-palatal, disto-mesial, vertical direction were (0.22 +/- 0.08) mm, (0.25 +/- 0.06) mm, (0.30 +/- 0.11) mm at the tip respectively.

CONCLUSIONWithin the limits of this study, the results verify the accuracy of CAD/CAM template and support its use for safety implant placement.