CAD/CAM single prosthesis: A 25 years bibliometric assessment of prosthetic outcomes

Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) single prostheses on teeth or implants are a viable option to restore edentulous spaces, using crowns. However, a comprehensive study that presents an overview of bibliometric factors related to the characteristics of this type of rehabilitation on teeth or implant is still lacking.

The purpose of this bibliometric study was to assess the review progress of papers in the field of CAD/CAM single prostheses regarding bibliometric parameters of year, framework material, technology, retention, and impression.

Four databases were assessed, and 5 bibliometric parameters were evaluated. An incidence rate ratio (IRR) was applied by using a multiple Poisson regression model (a = .05) to assess the association between single prostheses and each bibliometric parameter.

A 25-year bibliometric research was carried out and 1019 studies were evaluated. Of these, 805 papers met the inclusion criteria. Over time, an upward trend was observed in the publication of articles on CAD/CAM single prostheses. Studies using only additive manufacturing had a higher IRR than papers that used both technologies (P = .016, IRR = 1.286). Aesthetic materials showed a higher IRR compared with studies that used titanium as framework material (P = .012, IRR = 1.258). Cemented prostheses (P < .001, IRR = 2.272) and both retentions systems (P = .005, IRR = 1.436) exhibited a higher IRR compared to screwed design. Scanning (P = .036, IRR = 1.107) had a higher IRR than hybrid method.

The number of studies that reports CAD/CAM single crowns has increased over time. Likewise, as the volume of publications with aesthetic frameworks. Additive manufacturing has been increasingly present in the most publications assessed, as well as the use of intraoral scanners for impressions. Single prostheses cemented retained were most commonly found.