To analyze the effect of a computer-aided static navigation technique and mixed reality technology on the accuracy of orthodontic micro-screw placement. Material and methods: Two hundred and seven orthodontic micro-screws were placed using either a computer-aided static navigation technique (NAV), a mixed reality device (MR), or a conventional freehand technique (FHT). Accuracy across different dental sectors was also analyzed. CBCT and intraoral scans were taken both prior to and following orthodontic micro-screw placement. The deviation angle and horizontal deviation were then analyzed; these measurements were taken at the coronal entry point and apical endpoint between the planned and performed orthodontic micro-screws. In addition, any complications resulting from micro-screw placement, such as spot perforations, were also analyzed across all dental sectors. Results: The statistical analysis showed significant differences between study groups with regard to the coronal entry-point (p < 0.001). The NAV study group showed statistically significant differences from the FHT (p < 0.001) and MR study groups (p < 0.001) at the apical end-point (p < 0.001), and the FHT group found significant differences from the angular deviations of the NAV (p < 0.001) and MR study groups deviations (p = 0.0011). Different dental sectors also differed significantly. (p < 0.001) Additionally, twelve root perforations were observed in the FHT group, while there were no root perforations in the NAV group. Conclusions: Computer-aided static navigation technique enable more accurate orthodontic micro-screw placement and fewer intraoperative complications when compared with the mixed reality technology and conventional freehand techniques.

To analyze the influence of the computer-aided static navigation technique on the accuracy of placement of orthodontic micro-screws. One hundred and thirty-eight orthodontic micro-screws were randomly assigned to the following study groups: Group A. orthodontic micro-screw placement using a computer-aided static navigation technique (n = 69); B. orthodontic micro-screw placement using the conventional freehand technique (n = 69). In addition, the accuracy in the canine–premolar, premolar and molar sectors was analyzed in each study group. Cone-beam computed tomography and intraoral scans were taken both prior and subsequent to orthodontic micro-screw placement. The images were then uploaded using a 3D implant planning software, where the deviation and horizontal angles were analyzed using a multivariate linear model. These measurements were taken at the coronal entry point and apical endpoint between the planned orthodontic micro-screws. In addition, any complications resulting from micro-screw placement, such as spot perforations, were also analyzed in all dental sectors. The statistical analysis showed significant differences between the two study groups with regard to the coronal entry-point, apical end-point (p < 0.001) and angular deviations (p < 0.001) between the computer-aided static navigation technique and freehand technique study groups. Moreover, statistically significant differences were showed between the different dental sectors (p < 0.001). Additionally, twelve root perforations were observed at the conventional free hand technique study group while there were no root perforations in the computer-aided static navigation technique study group. The results showed that the computer-aided static navigation technique enables a more accurate orthodontic micro-screw placement with less intraoperative complications when compared with the conventional freehand technique.