Accuracy of computer guided implant dentistry: a permutation testing approach

The aim of this paper was to analyze the accuracy of computer-guided template-based implant dentistry by comparing implant position in the virtual project and that actual reached in the bones. For this purpose we considered a study involving 17 healthy patients subjected to an implant surgical session with the insertion of implants with an external connection. Data from this study do not follow a well defined sampling procedure, and (multivariate) data do not follow a (multivariate) normal distribution, thus traditional parametric approaches were not recommend. Analysis with a nonparametric procedure based on permutation tests and nonparametric combination methodology revealed that significant discrepancies exist between the planned and actual implant position.