Digital dentistry and implant dentistry--a case study

In the area of fixed prosthodontics, implants have evolved to become the gold standard in terms of longevity and esthetic outcome (1). As in all of dentistry, careful diagnosis and treatment planning is a must to achieve an optimum result. When evaluating the recipient site, one must determine if any type of defect (hard or soft tissue) exists which would require augmentation. The existing occlusion must also be evaluated to ensure the dentist is aware of possible prosthetic complications. In straightforward cases, such as those without the need for augmentation, the conventional timeline requires a waiting period of 3 months following surgical placement to begin the restorative procedures. Factoring in the restorative time frame, the patient may wait up to approximately 4 months for the final implant prosthesis. Various advancements in dentistry are changing the way dentists approach implant dentistry--from diagnosis and treatment planning to final restorations. This article illustrates these advances through a case study.