The implant-based digital double crown rescue protocol - Initial clinical and patient-reported outcomes

The aim of this observational clinical case series study was to evaluate the survival rate, complication frequency, and patient satisfaction following the application of the implant-supported digital double crown rescue protocol. This approach allows for the replacement of lost or non-restorable abutment teeth while preserving the full functionality of the existing denture by inserting a dental implant, restoring it with a custom-designed meso-abutment, and reusing the original primary crown. Ten patients with a total of 15 superstructures, treated according to this concept at the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University Hospital, LMU Munich, were included in the study. The patients underwent clinical follow-up examinations and completed validated questionnaires to assess their quality of life and satisfaction. In addition, complications were retrospectively extracted from patient records.

The survival rates for the prostheses, implants, and reinstalled primary crowns were 100%. No specific complications related to the double crown rescue protocol were identified. Implant-related complications were rare (n = 1). Prosthetic events (n = 10) and biological complications (n = 4) were more common but could mostly be managed with moderate effort. Patient satisfaction was very high in all categories assessed.

The double crown rescue protocol proved to be clinically successful and efficient. It enables cost-effective, functional restoration of existing prostheses in cases of abutment loss using a fully digital workflow. Given the high level of patient satisfaction and the low complication rate, this approach appears promising for routine clinical application, although larger-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings.