Reverse Scan Protocol for Partially Edentulous Area in the Esthetic Zone: Clinical Report

Emerging technologies have revolutionized the digital workflow in the fabrication of restorations. The reverse scan technique has been introduced as a solution for full-arch rehabilitation to simplify the recording of implant positions, as well as to improve splinted impression making and the recording of implant positions. Recent studies reported favorable outcomes for complex rehabilitation in full-arch, multiple-implant-supported restorations. However, no article in the current literature search on outcomes for short-span edentulous patients in the esthetic zone was found.

One of the critical aspects of achieving esthetic rehabilitation that is in harmony with pink esthetics is to provide a prototype or interim restoration that can be transferred into a definitive restoration. This reverse scanning technique enables the scanning of interim restoration designs and aesthetic parameters, allowing for the reverse engineering of the confirmed prosthetic volume from definitive materials. This patient report aims to demonstrate the proof of concept that reverse scan bodies can also be utilized as an alternative. Seventy-two-year-old female patient needs rehabilitation of maxillary four anterior incisors with implant supported screw retained restoration presented with two-piece design implants with two screw-retained abutments to support a 4-unit fixed dental prosthesis.

This patient report demonstrates that a reverse scan from the interim restoration used as a prototype, digitally recorded with an intra-oral scanner (Trios 4, 3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark), can be used as a valid alternative workflow to fabricate a monolithic zirconia oxide restoration as the definitive restoration.