Novel model-less fully digital workflow for implant superstructures in an esthetic zone: A technical report

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Digital Dentistry
• Prosthodontics

Background:

• Traditional fabrication of implant superstructures can be labor-intensive and prone to inaccuracies.
• The esthetic zone demands high precision for optimal patient outcomes.
• Advancements in digital technologies offer potential for streamlined workflows.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a fully digital workflow for fabricating implant superstructures in the esthetic zone.
• To evaluate the feasibility of using intraoral scanners (IOS), CAD/CAM, and monolithic multilayer zirconia.
• To transition from analog to digital workflows in dental laboratories and clinics.

Main Methods:

• Digital impressions were captured using an IOS, including scan bodies and occlusal registration.
• Provisional restoration morphology was scanned both intraorally and extraorally to optimize subgingival contours.
• CAD software integrated morphological data to generate a digital cast and design the final superstructure.
• Monolithic multilayer zirconia was milled using CAM, followed by sintering, staining, and bonding to a titanium base.

Main Results:

• A model-less, fully digital workflow successfully fabricated the implant superstructure.
• The fabricated superstructure was delivered to the patient without reported clinical complications.
• The digital workflow demonstrated efficiency and precision in the esthetic zone.

Conclusions:

• The novel digital workflow enables efficient and accurate fabrication of implant superstructures in the esthetic zone.
• This model-less approach has the potential to revolutionize clinical and laboratory workflows by replacing traditional analog methods.
• Further studies are warranted to validate long-term clinical performance and broader applicability.