Digital implant impressions by cone-beam computerized tomography: a pilot study.

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Digital Dentistry
• Oral Rehabilitation

Background:

• Traditional impression techniques for full-mouth implant restorations can be time-consuming and prone to inaccuracies.
• Advancements in digital imaging offer potential for more efficient and precise methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the fit of cobalt-chromium (Cr-Co) structures fabricated from digital impressions obtained via cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT).
• To evaluate the clinical passivity and accuracy of implant-supported prostheses designed from CBCT data.

Main Methods:

• Thirty implants were placed in five cadaver mandibles.
• Special scan bodies facilitated CBCT imaging.
• DICOM images were converted to STL files for digital design and milling of Cr-Co structures.
• Structure fit was evaluated for passivity, radiographic, optical, and probing accuracy.

Main Results:

• Three of the five fabricated Cr-Co structures exhibited good passive fit.
• Slight discrepancies were noted in the remaining two structures, indicating minor fitting issues.

Conclusions:

• CBCT may serve as a viable digital impression method for full-mouth implant rehabilitations.
• Further studies involving diverse implant and CBCT systems are recommended.
• Consideration of radiation dose and patient selection aligned with ALARA principles is crucial for clinical application.