Guided and Prosthetically Driven Bone Augmentation Using the Shell Technique and Allogeneic Cortical Plate: A Prospective Case Series.

PURPOSE: To describe the use of digital technology to surgically guide the shell technique using allogenic cortical plates for a fully guided bone augmentation procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 10 patients who required bone augmentation for implant placement were included in this study. Allogenic cortical plates were planned using CAD/CAM to have identical thickness to the original cortical plates, then were digitally positioned and shaped to outline the bone defect according to the existing anatomical details. A cutting pattern and a surgical template were manufactured according to the digitally preplanned bone graft and the intraoral setting. RESULTS: A total of 12 horizontal bone grafting procedures were performed using the shell technique with allogenic cortical plates. All grafting procedures were deemed successful and allowed for ideal 3D implant positioning. Of the 12 bone grafting procedures, which used a surgical template to position the cortical plate, 3 required an adjustment to reposition the plate to a more ideal position. CONCLUSIONS: Digital technology was used to create a surgical template to guide the shell bone grafting technique with allogenic cortical plates. All surgical templates offered a fixed support to hold the cortical allogenic plate in the preplanned position, offering a predictable, simplified, and accurate guided bone grafting procedure. Further studies on a larger population of patients are necessary to assess those results and to verify the treatment approach described in this study.

Preplanned Computer-Assisted Advanced Implant Placement for Orthodontic Patients: Presentation of a Novel Multidisciplinary Treatment Approach and a Case Report.

This case report describes a novel approach combining orthodontic and implant digital treatment planning workflows to enable prosthetically driven implant placement before orthodontic treatment is performed or completed. The computer-assisted implant placement is performed using a static surgical guide based on the future positions of the teeth after completion of orthodontic treatment. This innovative approach allows for select partially edentulous patients to undergo fixed prosthetic rehabilitation before orthodontic treatment is completed.

Complete-Arch Implant Rehabilitation with the Aid of Computer-Assisted Implant Surgery and Transitional Implants: A New Digital Approach

This case report describes a new digital workflow for computer-assisted implant surgery in an edentulous patient using transitional implants to support a fixed surgical template and interim prosthesis. The accuracy of the final implant position using the described protocol was evaluated and compared to the outcomes obtained using other types of surgical templates. This novel digital approach appears to enhance the accuracy of implant positioning for edentulous patients and seems to be comparable to a tooth-supported surgical template.

Digitally Fabricated Provisional Implant Restorations Prior to Implant Placement: A Clinical Case Series.

PURPOSE: To review the factors that affect the ability to deliver a CAD/CAM implant-supported provisional restoration designed from a virtually planned implant position prior to surgical placement with static computer-assisted implant surgery (sCAIS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected on patients treated with single-tooth implant treatment in which CBCT was combined with intraoral scans and imported into a virtual implant planning software. A synchronization tool established the connection between the planning software and the CAD software, where a digital diagnostic tooth arrangement was performed to create the ideal tooth dimensions and mucosal architecture. The virtual implant planning was finalized, and the implant position was transferred to the CAD software, where a restoration was designed and fabricated. The sCAIS was performed, and the prefabricated custom restorations were delivered on the day of the surgery or following healing if delayed loading or submerged healing was required. Descriptive statistics and statistical comparison with two-proportion z test were performed. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients with 28 single-implant sites met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Nineteen customized healing abutments and 10 provisional crowns were designed and fabricated for a total of 29 restorations. Of the restorations, 23 were successfully delivered on the day of the surgical intervention. No statistical significance was found among the different variables compared. CONCLUSION: Custom prefabricated CAD/CAM restorations based on a virtually planned implant position can be successfully designed, fabricated, and delivered when used in combination with sCAIS.

Preservation of Soft Tissue Contours Using Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Assisted Manufacturing Healing Abutment with Guided Surgery in the Esthetic Area: Case Report.

This case report describes a digital workflow for a computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) healing abutment used in immediate implant placement in the esthetic zone. The design of the healing abutment was based on the existing tooth anatomy in order to provide anatomical support to the gingival tissues and to preserve the gingival contours of the natural tooth. This approach enhances the esthetic outcome of the definitive implant restoration. The surgical procedure including the guided bone regeneration is simplified, postoperative morbidity is reduced, and excessive occlusal loading during healing is limited.

Fabrication technique for a custom implant emergence profile on 3D printed casts.

A procedure is described for fabricating a removable resilient soft-tissue replica that accurately replicates the contoured emergence profile of an interim implant-supported restoration on a cast fabricated by 3D printing. The technique uses digital scanning and 3D printing technologies to produce a 3D printed replica of the implant-supported interim crown, which is then used to fabricate the custom soft-tissue replica. This straightforward technique allows the accurate replication of the emergence profile without retaining the interim crown or fabricating a new one. No additional clinical appointments are needed.

A Modified Implant Surgical Guide for the Administration of Maxillary Nerve Block Anesthesia Intraorally via the Greater Palatine Foramen: Case Report.

Block anesthesia for the maxillary division (V2) of the trigeminal nerve is a suitable approach when an entire quadrant of teeth and/or associated structures are involved. The most effective approach to anesthetize the maxillary branch is intraorally via the greater palatine canal. This case report describes the use of a computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) implant surgical template designed with a guide channel to allow for the administration of maxillary nerve block through the greater palatine canal.

Radiographic markers for merging virtual data sets.

A procedure for registering digital intraoral surface scans onto cone beam computed tomography in the presence of significant scatter artifact is described. The technique uses chairside-fabricated composite resin markers placed on well-distributed teeth to serve as common landmarks in each digital data set for accurate registration. This straightforward, noninvasive, and cost-effective technique facilitates registration without the need for a specialized armamentarium or radiographic templates.