Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026
Real-Time Dynamic Navigation System for the Precise Quad-Zygomatic Implant Placement in a Patient with a Severely Atrophic Maxilla
Published on: October 18, 2021
Time efficiency of a digital workflow with immediate restoration for posterior single implants (SafetyCrown): A
Lukas Waltenberger1, Sven Reich1, Tobias Graf2
1Department of Prosthodontics and Biomaterials, Centre for Implantology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.
Purpose:
To assess the time efficiency of an innovative workflow (SafetyCrown) for implant-supported rehabilitation of posterior single-tooth sites against the standard workflow. The hypothesis was that there is no difference in treatment duration and accuracy, as represented by the number of clinical adjustments and additional visits required.
Methods:
31 participants (16 females, 15 males) were included in this analysis from a randomized clinical trial. Participants were randomly assigned to the test group (SafetyCrown workflow, three visits) or control group (conventional digital workflow, six visits). The SafetyCrown workflow combined immediate restoration with a prefabricated definitive abutment and chairside provisional restoration. The control group followed a conventional digital approach in six visits. Treatment times per visit were recorded with a stopwatch; clinical adjustments and additional visits were documented.
Results:
The SafetyCrown workflow was completed in three visits in 53% of cases, with a mean of 3.5 visits compared with 6.1 visits in the control group. The total treatment time differed insignificantly by 10 minutes (test: 126.4 minutes; 95% CI: 116.4-136.5; control: 116.8 minutes; 95% CI: 104.4-129.3; P = 0.232), and individual visits lasted longer in the test group (e.g., surgical visit: 62 minutes vs. 33 minutes in control). Clinical adjustments were common in both groups when using model-free workflows.
Conclusions:
Limitations aside, the SafetyCrown workflow reduced the total visits while maintaining the overall treatment time despite longer individual appointments, thus increasing efficiency. Both fully digital workflows were feasible, although frequent adjustments highlight the need to investigate sources of inaccuracy to improve the precision and efficiency further.
