Digital Dynamic Occlusal Analysis and Equilibration for Salvage of Compromised Full-Arch Prostheses

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Digital Workflow in Prosthodontics
• Occlusal Rehabilitation

Background:

• Full-arch occlusal rehabilitations can fail, requiring complex management strategies.
• Traditional methods for diagnosing and managing occlusal discrepancies are often time-consuming and may lack precision.
• A digitally integrated approach offers potential for improved accuracy and efficiency in managing rehabilitation failures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a digitally integrated protocol for managing failed full-arch occlusal rehabilitations.
• To utilize dynamic jaw tracking, virtual occlusal analysis, and computer-guided equilibration in a reintervention protocol.
• To achieve biomechanical stability and esthetic harmony in compromised rehabilitations through a digital workflow.

Main Methods:

• Reconstruction of a virtual patient model using multimodal 3D datasets (CBCT, intraoral scans, photos, jaw motion records).
• Dynamic occlusal simulations to identify premature contact asymmetry and digital occlusal equilibration to assess discrepancies.
• Implementation of intraoral equilibration and CAD/CAM transitional/definitive restorations, bypassing conventional articulator mounting.

Main Results:

• The digital protocol successfully managed failed full-arch occlusal rehabilitations.
• Achieved biomechanical stability and esthetic harmony in compromised cases.
• Reduced clinical adjustments compared to analog methods.

Conclusions:

• A digitally integrated protocol using dynamic jaw tracking and virtual analysis provides an effective reintervention strategy for failed full-arch occlusal rehabilitations.
• This digital workflow synchronizes functional demands with esthetic parameters, offering a more precise and potentially less invasive approach than traditional methods.
• The biologic adaptation phase is crucial for patient outcomes, especially those with pre-existing occlusal dysfunction.