Digital Workflow for a Scleroderma Patient with Microstomia: A Clinical Report

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Prosthodontics
• Digital Dentistry

Background:

• Microstomia, a condition of restricted mouth opening, presents significant challenges in conventional dental impression procedures.
• Traditional impression techniques can be uncomfortable and inaccurate for patients with microstomia, potentially compromising prosthetic outcomes.

Observation:

• A novel digital workflow was employed for a patient with scleroderma and microstomia, utilizing computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) custom sectional trays.
• Impressions were taken using these custom sectional trays, derived from digital models of a similar arch scale.
• Sectional casts were subsequently scanned and digitally aligned to reconstruct accurate final dentition models.

Findings:

• Removable partial dentures were designed on the finalized digital models.
• These dentures were fabricated using 3D printing technology.
• The digital workflow resulted in a successful prosthetic outcome, characterized by excellent fit and satisfactory esthetics.

Implications:

• This digital workflow offers a viable and effective solution for fabricating dental prosthetics in patients with microstomia.
• The use of CAD/CAM custom sectional trays and 3D printing enhances patient satisfaction and prosthetic success rates.
• This innovative approach may significantly improve the quality of care for individuals with limited mouth opening due to various conditions.