Chairside 3D digital design and trial restoration workflow.

Area of Science:

• Digital Dentistry
• Esthetic Dentistry
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

Background:

• Digital tools aid dental planning and rehabilitation, with smile design apps improving patient-professional communication.
• Existing esthetic planning software often presents challenges in usability, time efficiency, patient presentation, and integration with 3D workflows.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel 3D digital smile design application for esthetic planning, smile simulation, and chairside virtual wax-up.
• To describe a streamlined workflow for immediate trial restorations using portable devices and 3D printing technology.

Main Methods:

• A facial photograph and Standard Tessellation Language (STL) files from facial and maxillary intraoral scans were uploaded to the app.
• Files were calibrated for a 3D, facially-driven smile design, with the final design exported for 3D printing.
• Printed resin templates were used for direct chairside trial restorations with flowable composite resin.

Main Results:

• The described technique successfully integrated a 3D app with a 3D printer for a seamless digital workflow.
• Immediate chairside trial restorations were achieved without the need for traditional methods like casts or silicone guides.
• The process facilitated straightforward and efficient chairside application of the virtual wax pattern.

Conclusions:

• The presented 3D digital smile design app offers a user-friendly and efficient solution for esthetic planning and immediate chairside restorations.
• This workflow enhances the integration of digital tools in dental practice, improving the overall patient experience and treatment outcomes.
• The application facilitates a direct link between digital design and clinical application, simplifying complex esthetic procedures.