Comparative assessment of the positional accuracy of dental implants inserted using computerised stackable surgical guides made using selective laser melting and digital light processing technologies for patients with maxillary terminal dentition.

This article focuses on comparing the positional accuracy of dental implants inserted using computerised stackable surgical guides fabricated by two additive manufacturing technologies: selective laser melting (SLM) producing cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) metal guides, and digital light processing (DLP) producing resin guides, in patients with maxillary terminal dentition. In a clinical study involving 24 implants placed in four partially edentulous patients, implants guided by SLM Co-Cr surgical guides demonstrated significantly lower coronal, apical, and angular deviations from the planned implant positions compared to those guided by DLP resin guides. The study concludes that, within its limitations, SLM-fabricated Co-Cr stackable surgical guides offer greater accuracy than DLP resin guides for implant placement, with deviations for metal guides falling within clinically acceptable tolerance limits.