Digital Workflow for Full-Arch Immediate Implant Placement Using a Stackable Surgical Guide Fabricated Using SLM Technology.

The failing dentition of partially edentulous individuals may be used as an initial reference for stackable restrictive surgical guides during full-arch immediate implant placement. The stackable guide option derived from a digital workflow increases the predictability of the performance of bone reduction, immediate implant placement, and immediate loading of provisional implant-supported fixed dental prostheses. The present paper aims to report a practical approach to design and produce a metal framework with occlusal rests to facilitate the use of a tooth-supported surgical guide when full-arch immediate implant placement is indicated in patients with failing dentition.

The Effects of Distribution of Image Matched Fiducial Markers on Accuracy of Computer-Guided Implant Surgery.

PURPOSE: Image registration of the optical intraoral scan to computed tomography image is essential for computer-guided implant surgery. The remaining teeth, which are considered to be congruent structures observed in the scan and radiographic images, are used to perform the image registration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the distribution of matching fiducial points on the accuracy of the image registration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A partially edentulous model with three anterior remaining teeth was prepared. Two mini dental implants were inserted in the posterior edentulous areas on both sides, and computed tomography and surface scan data were obtained. Three groups were set according to the distribution of the image matching points used: localized distribution, unilateral distribution, and bilateral distribution. Fifteen graduate students performed the registration process in each group using the same image matching method. The accuracy of image registration was evaluated by measuring the geometric discrepancies between the radiographic and registered scan images in the anterior, middle, and posterior regions. One-way and two-way analysis of variance with the Tukey HSD post hoc test were used for statistical analysis (α = 0.05) RESULTS: In general, the registration discrepancy was lowest in the bilateral distribution group, followed by the unilateral distribution and localized distribution groups (p< 0.001). In the regional analysis, the registration error tended to increase as the measurement region moved farther from the matching points. The distribution of the matching points and measurement regions had a statistical interaction in the accuracy of image registration. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of image registration of the surface scan to the computed tomography is affected by the matching point distribution that can be improved by placing artificial markers in the edentulous areas.

Digital implantological workflow for a CAD/CAM immediate long-term temporary restoration for the edentulous maxilla.

The rehabilitation of the edentulous jaw using angulated implants and screw-retained retrievable fixed prosthetic dentures is a well-established treatment method. Possible advantages include the option to avoid bone augmentation, to provide an immediate long-term provisional restoration, and, where appropriate, to perform a minimally invasive procedure. A variety of prosthodontic solutions are available for the definitive restoration, not least allowing the patient's financial situation to be accommodated. Implementing this concept requires systematic planning and an exacting surgical procedure. It makes sense to rely on a computer-assisted process for this purpose as it standardizes the procedure and makes it reproducible, with all the benefits this entails. The present report highlights the consistent integration of virtual planning and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), from the surgical template to the immediate long-term provisional restoration. The relevant procedures are described in general terms and illustrated by a patient case.

Clinical applications and effectiveness of guided implant surgery: a critical review based on randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays implant placement protocols are widespread among clinicians all over the world. However, available literature, only partially analyses what can be potential benefits for the clinicians and patients, often focusing just on specific aspects, such as accuracy. The purpose of this review is to compare computer guided implant placement with conventional treatment protocols. METHODS: A search strategy according to the P-I-C-O format was developed and executed using an electronic MEDLINE plus manual search from 2000 up to December 2016. This review included only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on subjects treated with digital workflow for oral implant placement compared to conventional procedures. Data were extracted from eligible papers and analysed. All kinds of outcomes were considered, even patient-related and economical outcomes. RESULTS: The search strategy revealed 16 articles; additional manual searches selected further 21 publications. Afterwards the evaluation of articles, only two studies could be selected for subsequent data extraction. The two identified RCTs analysed primary outcomes as prosthesis failure, implant failure, biological or prosthetic complications, and secondary outcomes as periimplant marginal bone loss. One RCT evaluated also the duration of treatment, post-surgical progress, additional treatment costs and patient satisfaction. The other RCT focused instead on evaluating eventual improvement of patient's quality of life. In both selected studies, were not observed by the authors statistically significant differences between clinical cases treated with digital protocols and those treated with conventional ones. In one RCT, however post-surgical progress evaluation showed more patients' self-reported pain and swelling in conventional group. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitation of this review, based on only two RCTs, the only evidence was that implant survival rate and effectiveness are similar for conventional and digital implant placement procedures. This is also confirmed by many other studies with however minor scientific evidence levels. Reduction of post-operative pain, surgical time and overall costs are discussed. Authors believe that scientific research should focus more in identifying which clinical situations can get greatest benefits from implant guided surgery. This should be done with research protocols such as RCT that assess comprehensively the advantages and disadvantages of fully digital surgical protocols.

Immediate loading of dental implants in the esthetic region using computer-guided implant treatment software and stereolithographic models for a patient with eating disorders.

This manuscript describes the reconstruction of a maxillary anterior segment using immediate implant placement and immediate implant loading techniques, aided by computer-guided implant treatment software and stereolithographic models and surgical templates, in a patient with a history of eating disorder. Her medical and dental histories did not make her a candidate for the use of conventional 2-stage implant surgery and restorative procedures along with an interim removable prosthesis.

Freehand versus computer-guided implant placement: early implant failures in a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the survival of fully guided implants placed with a hollow tooth-supported computerized surgical guide (TSSG). METHOD AND MATERIALS: This retrospective study included 94 patients who underwent implant placement using freehand or TSSG by the same operator between 2015 and 2020. Early implant failures occurring within 1-year post-rehabilitation were assessed. RESULTS: In the study, two types of implants were placed using two different techniques: TSSG and freehand. The TSSG group consisted of 84 S implants and 100 LP implants, and the freehand group included 90 S implants and 94 LP implants. The results showed that more implants survived when placed freehand compared to TSSG (181 [98.4%] vs 172 [93.5%], respectively, P .05). The only significant factor affecting the success rate was the type of implant, with LP implants having a higher survival rate in the TSSG group (P .05). CONCLUSION: Surgeons should consider the impact of implant type on survival rates when utilizing the TSSG system.

Computer Aided Full Arch Restoration by Means of One-Piece Implants and Stackable Guide: A Technical Note.

This technical note aims to present a recently developed computer-guided protocol characterized by titanium-reinforced stackable surgical guides during post-extractive implant placement and subsequent immediate loading. A full maxillary edentulism was rehabilitated with one-piece implants, starting from a pre-existing removable denture. 3D digital scans of the removable denture and upper and lower arches were performed. On this basis, a prototype with ideal esthetic and functional outcomes was realized and replicated into a custom-made radiological stent with markers. The superimposition of STL and DICOM files allowed virtual planning of one-piece implants in the ideal prosthetically driven position. The stackable guides, composed of a fixed base template and additional removable components, were then realized. The fixed template, initially secured with anchor pins to the bone, was no longer removed. The removable components, which were screwed to the base template, were used to perform implant surgery and immediate prosthetic loading. No surgical complications occurred, the implants achieved a minimum insertion torque of 35 Ncm, and immediate prosthetic loading was performed. The base template allowed for the maintenance of a fixed reference during the entire workflow, improving the transition between the digital project, the surgical procedure, and the prosthetic rehabilitation.

Implantoprosthetic Rehabilitation by Computer-guided Implant Surgery (M-Guide): Case report.

Correct implant positioning poses a major challenge in modern dentistry and mismatch between the planned and final implant position is one of the most common treatment complications. A surgical guide or a template is a ''transmission device'' which enables the implant placement in the intended position as accurate as possible. Case study: A woman aged 60 came into dental office to resolve a single tooth loss in regions 15 and 24. Radiographic analysis and clinical examination showed a lack of transversal space in the regions of implantation. Considering the fact of having a narrow area available for implantation, a computer-guided implant therapy using the M-Guide system was selected. The treatment plan was a prosthetic restoration involving the placement of two implants in areas 15 and 24 and the fabrication of zirconium oxide crowns. After digital planning, a fully guided surgical protocol was performed. Immediately after implantation, a temporary suprastructure and temporary crowns were placed. After a period of osseointegration, a definitive prosthetic restoration was made.

Three-dimensional computer-guided implant placement in oligodontia.

BACKGROUND: The aim of computer-designed surgical templates is to attain higher precision and accuracy of implant placement, particularly for compromised cases. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to show the benefit of a full three-dimensional virtual workflow to guide implant placement in oligodontia cases where treatment is challenging due compromised bone quantity and limited interdental spaces. PATIENT AND METHODS: A full, digitalized workflow was performed for implant placement in two oligodontia patients. Accuracy was assessed by calculating the coordinates of the entry point (shoulder) and apex (tip) as well as the angular deviation of the planned and actual implants. RESULTS: Implant placement could be well performed with the developed computer-designed templates in oligodontia. Mean shoulder deviation was 1.41 mm (SD 0.55), mean apical deviation was 1.20 mm (SD 0.54) and mean angular deviation was 5.27° (SD 2.51). CONCLUSION: Application of computer-designed surgical templates, as described in this technical advanced article, aid in predictable implant placement in oligodontia where bone quantity is scarce and interdental spaces are limited.

Postextraction computer-guided implant surgery in partially edentate patients with metal restorations: a case report.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to describe a postextraction, computer-guided protocol for implant-prosthetic rehabilitations in partially edentate patients with metal restorations. METHODS: A 60-year-old man with a loose FDP (fixed dental prosthesis) in the first quadrant was selected for a postextraction computer guided implantology according with the 2-piece radiographic template protocol. A two components radiographic template was produced, with the teeth setup portion based on the wax-up. CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) scans of the patient, wearing the base portion of the radiographic template and of the assembled radiographic template alone, were accomplished. The CBCT volume were imported in a dedicated software (NobelClinician, Nobel-Biocare, Kloten, Switzerland) and a surgical template was produced from the digital planning. The surgery was performed with a flap approach, as a bone regeneration procedure was carried out. A delayed loading protocol was chosen to allow a healing free of masticatory stress. A mobile partial denture was delivered to the patient to grant function and social life until the delivery of the definitive FDP. RESULTS: The surgery was performed rapidly and free of obstacles. A good primary stability of the implants was achieved. The patient referred an acceptable postoperative pain and swelling. CONCLUSIONS: The 2-piece radiographic template protocol was evaluated as smooth, complication-free and suitable for patients who want to maintain their teeth until the day of implant surgery. A good command of the computer-guided software as well as a comprehensive learning curve in computer-guided implantology is necessary to obtain predictable results.

Full digital workflow for implant-prosthetic rehabilitations: a case report.

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.

Deviations between placed and planned implant positions: an accuracy pilot study of skeletally supported stereolithographic surgical templates.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate deviations between virtually planned and placed implants by the use of skeletally supported stereolithographic templates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten consecutive patients were selected for virtual three-dimensional implant planning using the Facilitate(TM) software (Astra Tech AB, Mölndal, Sweden). Computer tomography images were obtained in the pre- and postoperative phase. Four deviation parameters (i.e. global, angular, depth, and lateral deviation) were defined and calculated between the planned and the placed implants, using the coordinates of their respective apical and coronal points. RESULTS: Deviations at the coronal positions appeared to be smaller (95% confidence interval: 0.15-1.0) as compared with apical positions (95% confidence interval: 0.14-1.1). But only the difference with regard to lateral measurements appeared to be statistically significant (p = .03). Except for depth (p = .01), no significant association between mesial or more distal locations could be detected concerning global (p = .07), lateral (p = .87), and angular (p = .56) values in mixed model analyses. Overall, there was a slight tendency for higher values for more distal locations. CONCLUSION: As slight deviations between planned and placed implants especially may occur even with skeletal-supported templates, the clinician should be aware not to overestimate advocated surgical safety by using static navigation tools.

Definitive Presurgical CAD/CAM-Guided Implant-Supported Crown in an Esthetic Area

This paper describes the digital workflow from cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) to the installation of a definitive presurgical zirconium individual crown in a 19-year-old woman requiring implant replacement of a maxillary right lateral incisor. The patient had agenesis of this tooth and had completed the orthodontic treatment. CBCT was conducted and diagnostic casts were digitized. Virtual planning was completed by defining a prosthetically driven implant and a stereolithographic surgical template was produced. Good adaptation of a stereolithographic surgical template was verified in the working cast. Implant and abutment were installed in this cast using a stereolithographic surgical template, and a CAD/CAM definitive zirconium crown was produced. Flapless computer-guided implant surgery was performed. The abutment was connected, and a definitive zirconium crown was cemented using resin cement. The digital workflow presented herein shows high accuracy for a virtually planned implant with flapless guided placement, allowing the successful delivery of a definitive presurgical zirconium single crown in an esthetic area in a single visit. The patient was revaluated after 1 year of function with an excellent outcome of the treatment.

Resumo Este relato descreve o fluxo de trabalho digital desde tomografia de feixes cônicos até a instalação de uma coroa unitária pré cirúrgica definitiva em zircônia em uma mulher de 19 anos que necessitava de reabilitação com implante do incisivo lateral superior direito. A paciente apresentava agenesia deste dente e tinha finalizado o tratamento ortodôntico. Foi realizada a tomografia e os modelos diagnósticos foram digitalizados. O planejamento virtual do implante foi definido pelo planejamento protético virtual e em seguida um guia cirúrgico foi produzido pelo método da esteriolitografia. Foi verificada a boa adaptação deste guia cirúrgico sobre o modelo de trabalho. O implante e o pilar foram instalados neste modelo de trabalho usando o guia cirúrgico e confeccionada coroa pré cirúrgica definitiva em zircônia pela técnica de CAD / CAM. A cirurgia guiada de instalação do implante foi realizada sem deslocamento de retalho. O pilar selecionado foi instalado e coroa pré cirúrgica definitiva em zircônia foi cimentada com cimento resinoso. O fluxo de trabalho digital apresentado mostrou grande precisão para instalação guiada do implante em uma área estética, permitindo a instalação de uma coroa pré cirúrgica definitiva em zircônia em uma única sessão clínica. A paciente foi reavaliada e apresentou excelentes resultados do tratamento após um ano em função.