The prototype concept in a full digital implant workflow.

Area of Science:

• Dental prosthetics
• Digital dentistry
• Implantology

Background:

• This case report introduces a novel prototype concept for digital implant workflows.
• Prototypes enable concurrent assessment of dental impression accuracy and esthetic/functional parameters before final framework fabrication.

Observation:

• Three digital impressions were used to create a master file with implant position, gingival architecture, and provisional restoration details.
• Two resin prototypes were fabricated: Prototype A (lacked implant connections) and Prototype B (experimental, single-piece with milled connections).
• Both prototypes underwent clinical testing including visual inspection, tactile assessment, screw testing, and radiography.

Findings:

• The use of a prototype facilitates simultaneous evaluation of implant positioning, esthetics, and function.
• A single-structure prototype demonstrated potential superiority in pinpointing impression inaccuracies.

Implications:

• This innovative approach aids clinicians in verifying critical parameters early in the digital implant process.
• The findings suggest that prototype design influences the ability to detect errors in the digital impression stage.