Purpose and hypothesis
This in vitro randomized crossover study aimed to assess and compare the accuracy of single molar implant placement in a simulation model fully guided by a CAD/CAM tooth-supported surgical template versus freehand by novice dental students and experienced instructors. The study utilized a digital registration method and sought to analyze the impact of two implant placement approaches, practitioners’ experience levels, and learning sequences.The null hypothesis (H0) of this study posited that the accuracy of implant placement (in terms of the coronal and apical distance deviation and angular deviation) would have no significant difference between two implant placement approaches (using a CAD/CAM surgical guide vs. freehand), two levels of practitioners’ experience (students vs. instructors), and two learning sequences (learning freehand first vs. surgical guide first).