Digital workflow for low-cost 3D-printed custom healing abutment based on emergence profile CBCT segmentation

Several protocols have been used with computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacture (CAD-CAM) prostheses after image-guided implant surgery based on a prosthetically driven surgical plan. For delayed approaches, a CAD-CAM custom healing abutment can be manufactured before the surgery and installed immediately after implant placement. However, information on the use of emergence profile segmentation on which to base the digital design and on the use of low-cost 3-dimensional printers to produce custom healing abutments are lacking. The purpose of this article was to present a fully digital workflow to digitally design and 3-dimensionally print custom healing abutments with a biocompatible light-polymerizing resin based on the natural emergence profile of the tooth to be replaced.