The digitalizing of implant dentistry: a clinical evaluation of 15 patients

This article introduces intraoral scanning technology as it applies to custom-fabricated implant abutments. The author discusses its use and clinical applications, and provides an overview of the benefits of such a system in the clinical setting. In this clinical evaluation of 15 patients, the BellaTek Encode Impression System was combined with iTero intraoral scanning technology to demonstrate the technical feasibility of combining these two CAD/CAM technologies. The BellaTek Encode impression system protocol was established to allow the clinician to digitally impress special codes embedded on the occlusal surface of the BellaTek Encode healing abutment. Once a digital file was prepared for CAD/CAM processing, a duplicate STL file could be sent to iTero for fabrication of a polyurethane model of the definitive BellaTek abutment, from which an implant restoration could be created. This definitive prosthesis was able to be fabricated simultaneously while the definitive BellaTek abutment was being milled.