The combination prosthesis: A digitally designed retrievable cement- and screw-retained implant-supported prosthesis

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Prosthodontics
• Digital Dentistry

Background:

• Traditional implant-supported prostheses often involve separate cement-retained or screw-retained components.
• A hybrid approach can offer advantages in terms of passive fit and retrievability.
• Digital workflows streamline the design and fabrication process in modern dentistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a digital workflow for designing and fabricating a combination cement- and screw-retained implant-supported prosthesis.
• To outline the steps involved from definitive impression to final intraoral cementation and sealing.

Main Methods:

• A definitive impression and stone cast were taken to initiate the digital workflow.
• The implant-supported prosthesis and custom titanium abutments were digitally designed and milled.
• Occlusal access channels were designed to align between the prosthesis and abutments for screw retention.
• Intraoral verification of esthetics, occlusion, and fit preceded final cementation.

Main Results:

• The digital workflow successfully facilitated the fabrication of a combination prosthesis.
• Intraoral confirmation of fit, esthetics, and occlusion was achieved.
• The prosthesis was cemented and subsequently retrieved as a screw-retained unit.
• Composite resin was used to seal the occlusal access channels post-cementation.

Conclusions:

• The described digital workflow provides a viable method for producing combination cement- and screw-retained implant prostheses.
• This technique integrates digital design and fabrication with a hybrid retention mechanism.
• The workflow ensures accurate fit and esthetics for implant-supported restorations.