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Objectives. The aim of the study was to assess the depth and quality of the post-space reading, using an IOS without scanpost, compared to a traditional silicon technique. Methods. Six extracted bicuspids were decoronated and endodontically treated. After having prepared the space for the posts, a structure in pink acrylic resin was created with two resin elements. At the center of the structure one sample was put at a time. Digital and traditional impressions were taken for each sample. Digital impressions were developed through the Computer-aided design (CAD) software in order to integrate the scanner results into a three-dimensional grid to make the measurements. A K-file was used to measure the length of the postspace of each sample obtained through the traditional silicon impression and subsequently the measurement results were reported on a millimeter gauge. Furthermore, an assessment of the width of the entrances of the post-spaces was carried out. Results. The mean reading depth discrepancy expressed in percentages (19.58%) indicates that the digital impression with current technologies fails to impress clearly the post-space. Standard deviation of the data expressed in percentage is 13.89, suggesting that the values were not similar to each other. In two cases the digital technique has achieved less than 10% difference compared to the traditional technique, but there have been also cases in which the variation in depth has reached almost 40%. The samples that showed the minor discrepancy between the two techniques expressed the widest post-space entrance. Conclusions. In this in vitro study, the application of the IOS for the post-space reading in order to deliver an anatomic post has been proven to be still not reliable, as there are still depth reading limitations for the narrow root channels. In fact, in this type of channels it is difficult to reach with the light beam of the IOS the deepest areas of the post-space, with a consequent incomplete post-space reading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]