COMPARISON OF 3D-PRINTED VS. TRADITIONAL DENTAL IMPLANTS: ACCURACY, LONGEVITY, AND PATIENT SATISFACTION

Background: The advent of 3D printing in dental implantology offers the potential for more accurate, efficient, and patient-friendly procedures compared to traditional implant methods. This study compares the accuracy, longevity, and patient satisfaction between 3D-printed and traditional dental implants. Objective: To evaluate the performance of 3D-printed dental implants versus traditional methods in terms of accuracy, longevity, and patient satisfaction. Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled trial included 80 participants, divided into two groups: 40 patients received traditional dental implants, while 40 received 3D-printed implants guided by CAD/CAM-designed templates. Accuracy was assessed via CBCT scans, longevity was monitored over 12 months, and patient satisfaction was measured through a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The 3D-printed group demonstrated significantly better accuracy, with a mean deviation of 0.85 ± 0.22 mm compared to 1.56 ± 0.34 mm in the traditional group (p < 0.001). Implant survival rates were 100% for the 3D-printed group and 97.5% for the traditional group. Patient satisfaction was higher in the 3D-printed group, with a mean score of 9.2 ± 0.5 versus 8.1 ± 0.7 in the traditional group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: 3D-printed dental implants offer significant advantages over traditional implants in terms of accuracy, longevity, and patient satisfaction. These findings support the growing clinical use of 3D printing in dental implantology for enhanced outcomes.