Case 21: Digital Dentistry at its best- Digitally fabricated Implant crowns

Case 21: Digital Dentistry at its best- Digitally fabricated Implant crowns

Fabrication of implant prosthesis requires precision and with conventional implant level impressions, there has been a very negligible amount of variation which impedes the passive fit. However, there are techniques like spark erosion and milled customised abutments along with accurate impression techniques which enhances the passivity of the fit.

With the advent of intra-oral scanners, the job is made simpler which avoids the time consuming technique of splinting impression copings with pattern resin, fabrication of custom acrylic open trays, and avoiding the use of any impression material in the patient's mouth which increases the patients comfort level.

This case was done with 3-Shape trios 3 intra-oral scanner. Digital impressions for implant prosthesis requires a scan body for the implant. During the impression visit, the healing collars are removed and the scan bodies are placed and the intra-oral scan is completed. Further 3-d printing is done and the prosthesis is fabricated. Few steps like, a diagnostic model for fabrication of a custom tray, the use of pattern resin for splinting an impression, the questionability of dimensional accuracy of the impression  material used, possibility of a void in the impression are all the major disadvantages of conventional open tray splinted impressions, which are completely eliminated in Digital scan. however, one must get accustomed to the digital technique and the protocol as well before we achieve good results.

The prosthetic phase was done by me at Parasu Dental Hospital Chennai