Digital device in postextraction implantology: a clinical case presentation.

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Digital Dentistry
• Prosthodontics

Background:

• A 46-year-old female presented with a fractured upper right first premolar requiring extraction.
• The fracture involved a significant lesion of the hard tissue, necessitating tooth removal and subsequent implant placement.
• Traditional implant procedures often involve multiple appointments and impression materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a case of immediate dental implant placement following tooth extraction.
• To highlight the application of Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology in this process.
• To evaluate the efficiency and benefits of using digital impressions and CAD/CAM for provisional crown fabrication.

Main Methods:

• Immediate implant placement of a 4.2 x 13 mm implant after extraction of the upper right first premolar.
• Digital impression of the implant site using an intraoral scanner (MHT 3D Progress) immediately after implant placement.
• Fabrication of a provisional crown using CAD/CAM software (Exocad DentalCAD) and a milling machine.

Main Results:

• A provisional crown was digitally designed and milled, then attached to the implant via a scan abutment.
• After 4 months of osseointegration, the definitive crown was placed without the need for new impressions.
• The CAD/CAM workflow eliminated the need for healing abutments, impression copings, and dental stone models.

Conclusions:

• CAD/CAM technology significantly aids in post-extraction implant rehabilitation, enabling immediate provisional crown placement with optimal tissue healing.
• This digital approach reduces chair time, component costs, and patient discomfort by eliminating traditional impression steps.
• Further research is recommended to enhance the accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility of this digital implant workflow.