Digital Protocol to Record Occlusal Analysis in Prosthodontics: A Pilot Study.

Background: Digital technologies enable the accurate replication of occlusion, which is pivotal for stability in maximum intercuspation and dynamic occlusion. CAD softwares generates standardized occlusal morphologies requiring significant adjustments. The consideration of individual mandibular movements during restoration leads to better functional integration. This pilot study evaluates the efficacy of a novel, fully digital protocol for occlusal analysis recording in prosthodontics. Methods: Patients needing single or multiple metal-free restorations were included. Teeth underwent horizontal finish line preparation, while restorations on implants were either directly screwed or used multi-unit abutments. A digital impression (Trios 3 Intraoral Scanner) captured the mouth's elements. Dynamic occlusion was recorded via Patient Specific Motion (PSM). After the placement and functionalization of temporary restorations, subsequent scans included various elements, and CAD software (Dental system) was used for the restoration design. Restorations were milled in monolithic zirconia, pressed from CAD/CAM-milled wax, and sintered. Results: An evaluation of 52 restorations in 37 patients indicated high accuracy in restorations manufactured via the fully digital workflow. Monolithic zirconia was predominantly used. Subtractive (17.3%) and additive (7.7%) occlusal adjustments were mainly chairside. Conclusion: This study underscores the efficacy of meticulous verification measures and a centric contact system in reducing the need for clinical occlusal refinements in prosthetic restorations.

Photographic-assisted prosthetic design technique for the anterior teeth.

The aim of this article is to propose a standardized protocol for treating all inesthetic anterior maxillary situations using a well-planned clinical and photographic technique. As inesthetic aspects should be treated as a pathology, instruments to make a diagnosis are necessary. The prosthetic design to resolve inesthetic aspects, in respect of the function, should be considered a therapy, and, as such, instruments to make a prognosis are necessary. A perspective study was conducted to compare the involvement of patients with regard to the alterations to be made, initially with only a graphic esthetic previsualization, and later with an intraoral functional and esthetic previsualization. Significantly different results were shown for the two techniques. The instruments and steps necessary for the intraoral functional and esthetic previsualization technique are explained in detail in this article.

Planning implants in the esthetic zone using a new implant 3D navigation system.

Guided implant surgery is becoming a clinical reality in the world of implant dentistry. In recent years, a Computer Aided Implantology Academy has even appeared, confirming the importance of this approach. Different navigation systems are available for the planning of surgical and prosthetic reconstructions. These systems make available to the surgeon and the prosthodontist the instruments necessary to plan a case and to work in a team to deliver a fixed restoration at the time of the surgical procedure in a minimally invasive and predictable way. This article evaluates the usefulness of this kind of planning in the esthetic zone, where perfection is mandatory.