Full digital workflow to resolve angled adjacent dental implants: A dental technique

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Digital Dentistry
• Prosthodontics

Background:

• Restorations on angled adjacent implants present unique digital workflow challenges.
• Accurate digital acquisition is crucial for prosthetic success in complex implant cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a digital workflow for computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacture (CAD-CAM) implant-supported restorations on angled adjacent implants.
• To present a method for accurate digital scanning of adjacent implants in a single step.

Main Methods:

• Modification of the proximal surface of a scan post for optimal adaptation.
• Digital scanning of adjacent implants using the modified scan post.
• Design and milling of definitive screw-retained splinted implant-supported restorations in zirconia.
• Application of a combined extraoral and intraoral cementation protocol.

Main Results:

• The modified scan post facilitated accurate digital scans of adjacent implants.
• The digital workflow enabled the fabrication of precise zirconia restorations.
• The combined cementation protocol ensured successful delivery of the restorations.

Conclusions:

• A modified scan post can improve the accuracy of digital scans for angled adjacent implants.
• This digital workflow provides a viable method for fabricating CAD-CAM implant restorations in complex situations.
• The described protocol ensures predictable outcomes for screw-retained splinted restorations.