This in vitro research was conducted on 20 standardized plastic dentition models (Dongguan Lixiang Model Science Inc., Dongguan, China; Figure 1 A) representing partially edentulous mandibular jaws (Kennedy Class II) with a free-end gap at the left mandible corresponding to FDI teeth nos. 35–37 and a single-tooth gap at the right mandible corresponding to FDI tooth no. 46. To simulate the clinical scenario, the plastic models were reproducibly fixed onto dental simulation units (NL-2000; Nissin Inc., Kyoto, Japan; Figure 1 B) with an elastic gingival mask before implant placement.
The sample size was calculated by using the Clin Epi software (Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China). Considering a power of 0.90, an alpha value of 0.05, and the results obtained from the pre-experiment (the angular deviation of STG was 1.69 ± 0.59°, and that of DE was 2.21 ± 0.61°), a minimum sample size of 20 per group was calculated, and, therefore, a total of 60 implants were required.
The sample size was calculated by using the Clin Epi software (Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China). Considering a power of 0.90, an alpha value of 0.05, and the results obtained from the pre-experiment (the angular deviation of STG was 1.69 ± 0.59°, and that of DE was 2.21 ± 0.61°), a minimum sample size of 20 per group was calculated, and, therefore, a total of 60 implants were required.
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