Fabrication of an implant-supported overdenture using CAD/CAM technology: a clinical report

This case report describes a new method for the fabrication of implant-supported overdentures that are rigidly retained by custom tapered abutments milled from commercially pure titanium using CAD/CAM technology. The dentition of a 60-year-old woman was restored with six implants in the edentulous maxilla. An implant-supported overdenture retained by custom tapered abutments was fabricated using CAD/CAM technology. Screw-retained abutments were designed and milled with a taper of 6 degrees. The reinforcing metallic denture base with integrated secondary crowns, exactly fitting on the tapered abutments, was fabricated from the same data set. The secondary structures could be seated tensionfree on the six abutments, creating friction in the final position. No clinical complications were observed at the 12-month follow-up examination, and the patient remained satisfied with the function and esthetics of the restoration. This case demonstrates the practicality of a fully CAD/CAM fabrication of an implant-supported overdenture retained by friction only. Controlled clinical studies are needed to evaluate the long-term performance of this type of restoration.