Utilization of digital technologies for fabrication of definitive implant-supported restorations

The introduction 7 years ago of specially coded healing abutments dramatically simplified the task of obtaining implant impressions. Such coded abutments eliminated the need for impression copings, instead enabling supragingival impressions to be made and sent to the laboratory for fabrication of patient-specific abutments and restorations. Combining this technology with digital oral scanning has the potential to further simplify the time between impression-making and delivery of a definitive restoration, and it offers additional benefits to both patients and clinicians. This article explains how oral scanners can be used to obtain digital impressions of encoded healing abutments. A case report illustrating this approach is also presented.