Discussion
This in vitro randomized crossover study compared the accuracy of the simple single molar implant placement in a simulation model fully guided versus freehand by novice students and experienced instructors, via the digital registration method, and analyzed the effects of two implant placement approaches, practitioner’s experience and learning sequence. The results suggested that for novice students, using a CAD/CAM surgical guide may significantly reduce the coronal and apical distance and angular deviation compared with freehand surgery, and may reach a comparable accuracy with that of experienced specialists. While for experienced specialists, the accuracy of simple single molar implant placement showed no significant difference between guided and freehand surgery. Therefore, in general, the null hypothesis was rejected for student group, but was accepted for instructor group.