Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 15, 2026
A Structured Rehabilitation Protocol for Improved Multifunctional Prosthetic Control: A Case Study
Published on: November 6, 2015
Bridging the Translation Gap in Full-Arch FP1 Rehabilitation: A Case Report
Harshiv Karia1, Selina Guo2, Markus B Blatz3
1Assistant Professor of Prosthodontics, Department of Prosthodontics, University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut.
Background:
Full-arch fixed prosthesis 1 (FP1) rehabilitation requires the transfer of facially generated planning through guided surgery, implant registration, and immediate prosthesis design. Errors can create a translation gap between the virtual plan and delivered prosthesis.
Purpose:
This article describes a digital workflow for immediate FP1 rehabilitation using fully guided surgery, noncalibrated splinted registration with extraoral laboratory scanning per the manufacturer's recommended protocol, and a palatal fiducial marker to maintain coordinate continuity.
Case Description:
A 42-year-old female patient with a high smile line and failing maxillary dentition was treated with six immediately loaded implants. After guided implant placement, implant positions were registered using the OptiSplint® system with extraoral laboratory scanning. A palatal fiducial marker linked preoperative facially generated planning data with post-surgical implant data, allowing the diagnostic wax-up to be transferred to the interim prosthesis design.
Results:
The monolithic polymethyl methacrylate prosthesis with direct-to-multi-unit abutment connections showed clinically acceptable passive fit by modified Sheffield testing. Occlusal contacts required no adjustment, and the esthetic outcome was consistent with the planned tooth position.
Conclusion:
This case demonstrates a digital workflow for preserving prosthetic design continuity in immediate FP1 rehabilitation. Further studies are needed to evaluate the accuracy and clinical significance of this approach.
