C.E. Credit. Effect of Steam Sterilization on Accuracy of 3D Printed Implant Surgical Guides: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: 3D printed implant surgical guides are designed to improve implant placement accuracy. However, they are a potential source of contamination during implant surgery and therefore require sterilization to prevent post-surgical infection. This study evaluated the effect that steam sterilizing 3D printed implant surgical guides has on the accuracy of fully guided implant placement. Methods: 3D printed models were prepared with an edentulous site at the right maxillary central incisor. A surgical guide was designed and fabricated to place a bone level implant at this edentulous site. Ten implants were placed with surgical guides, followed by ten placed with the same guides after autoclave sterilization at 134°C for 6 minutes. Implants were scanned and analyzed using three-dimensional analysis software. The implant platform position, apex position, and angulation were evaluated before and after sterilization of the surgical guides. Results: There were statistically significant deviations of implant platform and apex in the x-axis (buccolingual), y-axis (mesio-distal), and implant angulation (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p < .05). There was no statistically significant deviation in the occluso-gingival height of the implant. Conclusions: Steam sterilization has a statistically significant effect on the accuracy of fully guided implant placement using 3D printed surgical guides. The buccolingual deviation of the implant apex is clinically significant (mean = 1.22 mm).