Comparison between Conventional and Digital Workflow in Implant Prosthetic Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled...

Area of Science:

• Dental Prosthodontics
• Digital Dentistry
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Digital technologies are advancing rapidly in dental prosthodontics, offering potential simplifications but facing ongoing debate regarding efficiency and predictability.
• A lack of clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing digital and traditional workflows necessitates further evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the clinical properties of fully digital, combined digital/analog, and fully analog workflows in dental prosthodontics.
• To evaluate interproximal (IC) and occlusal contact (OC), marginal fit, impression time (IT), and patient satisfaction (VAS scale).

Main Methods:

• A three-arm clinical RCT involving 72 patients.
• Comparison of fully digital, combined digital/analog, and fully analog workflows.
• Assessment of IC, OC, marginal fit, IT, and patient satisfaction using a VAS scale.

Main Results:

• The digital workflow demonstrated significantly better IC and OC compared to other workflows (p < 0.001).
• Impression time (IT) was significantly shorter for the digital workflow (p < 0.001).
• No significant differences were observed in implant-abutment fit (p = 0.5966), but patient satisfaction was higher with the digital workflow.

Conclusions:

• The digital workflow in dental prosthodontics shows superior accuracy in contacts and improved patient satisfaction compared to conventional techniques.
• Digital workflows are a viable alternative for experienced clinicians, offering better accuracy and patient tolerance.
• Further research should continue to validate the long-term clinical performance and predictability of digital dental solutions.