Search

Objectives. The aim of the present study was to describe a proof of concept digital workflow for the implant-prosthetic treatment in partially edentate patients and evaluate its clinical performance. Methods. A 55-year-old woman with a Kennedy class III bilateral edentulism in the mandible has been selected for a computer guided implantology according with the Smart Fusion® protocol (NobelBiocare, Kloten, Switzerland). After the template-guided implant placement, an immediate loading of the implants has been performed. QuickTemp conical temporary abutments were selected to deliver immediately prefabricated cement-retained provisionals. Two months after an impression was taken with an intraoral digital scanner (3Shape Trios3, Copenhagen, Denmark). The provisional restoration optical scanning was used to transfer the functionalized prosthetic contour to be duplicated into the definitive porcelain fused to zirconia restoration cemented on customized titanium abutments. Results. A satisfying esthetic and functional result has been achieved. No biological and mechanical complications were recorded. Conclusions. The investigated fully digital implant-prosthetic protocol provided a smooth, complication free and time effective treatment alternative to the conventional workflow. Besides the fully digital workflow allowed the surgical and prosthetic decision making and the communication within the dental team and with the patient. Further improvements heading to a direct match between the intraoral scan and the CBCT are strongly advised in order to create the so-called virtual patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impaction of maxillary canine is a relatively frequent orthodontic anomaly which could represent fuctional and aesthetic problems for patients. Nowadays, the conventional technique to impacted canines consists of a combined orthodontic and surgical approach, aimed to guide cuspids at the center of the alveolar ridge in a stable position and surrounded by healthy hard and soft tissues. This article presents three cases studies with different combined surgical-orthodontic approaches for the treatment of infraosseous impacted canines. An impacted maxillary canine could be guided, after adequate space is created orthodontically, to the center of the ridge through an orthodontic traction directly applied to the crown of impacted cuspid. Several surgical techniques have been proposed to expose the crown of impacted tooth. Location (buccal or palatal side) of impactation and depth influence surgical approach in order to obtain best aesthetic and functional results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The aim of this paper was to describe the CEREC 3 chairside system, providing the clinicians a detailed analysis of the whole digital workflow. Benefits and limitations of this technology compared with the conventional prosthetic workflow were also highlighted and discussed. Materials and methods. Clinical procedures (tooth preparation, impression taking, adhesive luting), operational components and their capabilities as well as restorative materials used with CEREC 3 chairside system were reported. Results. The CEREC system has shown many positive aspects that make easier, faster and less expensive the prosthetic workflow. The operator-dependent errors are minimized compared to the conventional prosthetic protocol. Furthermore, a better acceptance level for the impression procedure has shown by the patients. The only drawback could be the subgingival placement of the margins compared with the supra/juxta gingival margins, since more time was required for the impression taking as well as the adhesive luting phase. The biocopy project seemed to be the best tool to obtain functionalized surfaces and keep unchanged gnathological data. Material selection was related to type of restoration. Conclusions. The evidence of our clinical practice suggests that CEREC 3 chairside system allows to produce highly aesthetic and reliable restorations in a single visit, while minimizing costs and patient discomfort during prosthetic treatment. However improvements in materials and technologies are needed in order to overcome the actual drawbacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alveolar ridge, after tooth extraction, could reduce its volume up to 50% in buccal-lingual width in the first twelve months and residual dimensions could interfere with correct three dimensional placement of implants and influence negatively treatment outcomes with regard to function and aesthetic aspects. Over the last decades, several approaches have been proposed and tested in order to prevent ridge volumetric contraction and provide maximum bone availability for implant procedure. This article presents a case study with a single anterior tooth replacement, illustrating socket seal technique followed by a type 3 timing implant placement. Immediately after tooth extraction, residual socket was grafted using Deproteinized Bovine Bone Mineral and a free gingival punch harvested from palate. After 3 months, a root-form titanium implant was inserted without additional regenerative procedures. Follow-up examination revealed favourable preservation of soft tissue width and height in the aesthetic area. Socket seal approach maximizes soft tissue healing, preserving ridge envelope and the subsequent implant placement, furthermore, results simplified, as any augmentation techniques are required. Clinical advantages of this method include predictable preservation of the soft tissues, favourable healing features, easy handling of graft materials and a positive benefit-cost ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]