The distally anchored connective tissue graft platform for papilla enhancement: A case report.

BACKGROUND: As the need for using dental implants to replace single missing teeth grows, so does the demand for greater esthetic results. However, achieving complete interproximal papillae fill in single-tooth implant restorations remains a challenge. The distally anchored connective tissue platform is a novel soft tissue augmentation technique that consists of harvesting an autogenous connective tissue graft from the palate, folding it, and positioning it at the level of the distal occlusal and buccal surfaces with the help of a distal sling suture to the adjacent distal tooth. METHODS: This case report describes how a maxillary central incisor with compromised hard and soft tissues were replaced using a comprehensive treatment plan. RESULTS: The clinical outcomes showed stable mucosal margin levels and complete papillae fill. The patient expressed satisfaction with the achieved results. CONCLUSIONS: The distally anchored connective tissue graft platform performed at the time of implant placement emerges as a viable and effective soft tissue augmentation technique that yields highly esthetic results. KEY POINTS: Why is this case new information? To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report in the literature using the distally anchored connective tissue platform. What are the keys to successful management of this case? Adequate diagnosis and decision-making, resulting in a treatment plan focused on reconstructing both soft and hard tissues in a single-tooth implant within the esthetic area, yield favorable clinical, radiological, and patient-reported outcomes. What are the primary limitations to success in this case? The primary limitation of this study is its reliance on a single case report.

Transferring emergence profile and position of interim restorative implant fixture. A novel digital technique.

The present technical article describes a protocol to digitally reproduce the emergence profile of an interim implant prosthesis (IP) and to transfer its macrogeometry into the definitive restoration. The purpose of this protocol was to minimize alterations in the gingival architecture developed during the interim restorative phase of a single implant that could potentially jeopardize its esthetic outcome. The process included obtaining an intraoral scan with the interim IP in situ, a duplicate of this intraoral scan that was used to capture the exact position of the implant, and an extraoral scan of the prosthesis. These data could then be imported into IOS software to create a model where the patients' soft tissue was incorporated with precision, allowing for the fabrication of a definitive crown with an optimal soft tissue adaptation. As there are few articles in the scientific literature that have reported a consistent method to replicate the emergence profile of an interim IP, the present technical article aims to highlight the potential of utilizing the emergence profile of an interim IP created by IOS software.

CAD-CAM and analog occlusal splints comparison based on the amount of occlusal adjustments. 3D analysis of the volumetric changes: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the volumetric changes on occlusal surface of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) occlusal devices fabricated following a fully digital workflow after occlusal adjustment, compared to those fabricated with an analog workflow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight participants were included in this clinical pilot study, receiving two different occlusal devices fabricated with two different workflows, fully analog and fully digital. Every occlusal device was scanned before and after the occlusal adjustments to compare the volumetric changes using a reverse engineering software program. Moreover, three independent evaluators assessed a semi-quantitative and qualitative comparison using visual analog scale and dichotomous evaluation. The Shapiro-Wilk test was performed to validate normal distribution assumption, and a dependent t-Student test for paired variables was used to determine statistically significant differences (p-value < 0.05). RESULTS: The root mean square value was extracted from the 3-Dimensional (3D) analysis of the occlusal devices. The average values of the root mean square were higher for the analogic technique (0.23 ± 0.10 mm) than the digital technique (0.14 ± 0.07 mm) but the differences were not statistically significant (paired t-Student test; p = 0.106) between the two fabrication techniques. The semiquantitative visual analog scale values between the impression for the digital (5.08 ± 2.4 cm) and analog (3.80 ± 3.3 cm) technique were significant (p < 0.001), and statistically significant differences values were assessed for evaluator 3 compared to the other evaluators (p < 0.05). However, the three evaluators agreed on the qualitative dichotomous evaluation in 62% of the cases, and at least two evaluators agreed in 100% of the evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: Occlusal devices fabricated following a fully digital workflow resulted in fewer occlusal adjustments, as they could be a valid alternative to those fabricated following an analog workflow. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Fabricated occlusal devices following a fully digital workflow could have some advantages over analog workflow such reduce occlusal adjustments at delivery appointment, which can result in reduced chair time and therefore increased comfort for the patient and clinician.

Comparison accuracy of digital and analog method using milled occlusal splints.

OBJECTIVE: This clinical trial aims to compare the accuracy of interocclusal registration in centric relation taken with polyvinyl siloxane and intraoral scanner (IOS) with the fabrication of occlusal devices. METHODS: Thirty-one participants were included in the trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05317182) receiving two different occlusal devices from two different workflows. One workflow was performed using polyvinyl siloxane impression material and the other with IOS. Every splint was scanned before and after the occlusal adjustments to compare the volumetric changes using the Root Mean Square deviation (RMS). Furthermore, three evaluators assessed the 3D comparison using color maps in a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULTS: The average values of RMS were higher for the analog approach (0.01 ± 0.067) than the digital approach (0.065 ± 0.035). However, the differences were not statistically significant (p < 0.063) between the two impression techniques. For the semiquantitative analysis performed by blinded evaluators, differences in VAS values between the impression for the digital (2.08 ± 2.4) and analog (3.80 ± 3.3) technique were statistically significant. The three evaluators agreed in more than 90% of the qualitative dichotomous evaluation. CONCLUSION: Digital impressions did not show inferior accuracy compared to conventional impressions when assessed using quantitative measurements. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This clinical trial provided evidence on registering interocclusal relationship at increased vertical dimension with fully digital workflow for complete arch prosthesis.

Digital workflow for designing an interim implant-supported restoration with an optimal emergence profile in an open-source software program.

The esthetics and emergence profile design of implant-supported restorations in the anterior zone can be challenging. This dental technique describes a digital approach to designing an optimal emergence profile from the implant head to the definitive prosthetic volume with facial cutback for an esthetic implant-supported interim crown. A printed interim implant-supported restoration with an adequate emergence profile and a facial cutback for composite resin layering is obtained.

The digital alveolar cast: A revised approach to an old concept.

An alveolar cast is recommended for the fabrication of specific fixed dental prostheses. The analog workflow for such casts is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and highly skill dependent. Advancements in digital technologies are bringing new, efficient, and streamlined protocols for dental practice. This article presents a digital workflow for the fabrication of an alveolar cast by using computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM)technologies.

Stone verification device for verifying the definitive cast of an implant-supported restoration: A dental technique.

To reduce the risk of implant and prosthetic complications, implant-supported prostheses should be passive. A verification device is used to verify the abutment analog position on the definitive cast, and hence its accuracy. This article describes the fabrication of a Type IV stone implant verification device for verifying the accuracy of the definitive cast.

The PGO concept: Prosthetically guided orthodontics concept.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this case report is to present a novel digital approach of guiding orthodontics and periodontal surgery by creating interim restorations that represent the final shape of the teeth before starting the treatment. CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The patient presented with worn dentition, super-erupted maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth, and altered passive eruption, all this creating a gummy smile. Following a digital wax-up design, a digital orthodontic set-up, and the digital bracket bonding, temporary restorations, and bracket indirect bonding trays were fabricated. Restorations' cementation, bracket bonding, and periodontal surgery were performed the same day. After 14 months of orthodontic treatment, teeth were restored with final ceramic restorations. One year and 6 months was the total treatment duration. CONCLUSION: Prosthetically guided orthodontic concept allows the use of digital technology to simulate the final outcome of the patient treatment before starting dental therapy. This technique not only improves the communication between specialists, it also reduces treatment time and increases precision and predictability. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The prosthetically guided orthodontics (PGO) concept has the goal to start interdisciplinary therapy with a simulation of the final outcome. Giving the worn teeth their proper size through interim restorations prior to orthodontic therapy will guide the orthodontist from the beginning of the treatment and will improve communications between all the specialists. Through a digital approach, a digital wax-up and an orthodontic digital set-up the objectives of treatment can be established early on.

Digital scanning under rubber dam: An innovative method for making definitive impressions in fixed prosthodontics.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a comprehensive protocol for final impressions making under rubber dam isolation by using an intraoral scanner. CLINICAL CONSIDERATION: Impression making after tooth preparation with rubber dam isolation are impossible with conventional physical impressions, which are not with intraoral scanners. Digital technologies have disrupted dentistry in the last decades, bringing new, straightforward, and more time-efficient protocols for dental practice. CONCLUSIONS: Taking in consideration the beneficial properties of scanning under rubber dam this protocol can be highly recommended for everyday use for making definitive intraoral scans for tooth-supported restorations. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The described protocol offers the possibility to make a final impression in a stress-free environment, without blood or saliva, to obtain a better visualization and scanning of the finish line, and the potential of save time on definitive impression making.

The digital POIP concept: Preorthodontic implant placement.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this report is to present an interdisciplinary treatment involving periodontics, orthodontics, dental implant placement, and prosthodontics with a fully digital dentistry approach. CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The patient presented with an edentulous ridge on the area of the lower left lateral incisor as well as gingival recession on the adjacent teeth. After performing a digital orthodontic setup and indirect bonding bracket placement, a dental implant placement was carried out before orthodontic treatment in combination with guided bone regeneration (GBR), connective tissue graft (CTG) and periodontal accelerated osteogenic orthodontics (PAOO). In a 6-month period, orthodontic treatment was fully completed and the dental implant was restored at 8 months. Following one-and-a-half years, significant gingival recession reduction was accomplished and soft tissue augmentation around the dental implant appeared stable with a good functional and esthetic result. CONCLUSION: The use of the digital POIP concept with a proper diagnosis and careful planning is crucial for reducing treatment time and enhancing precision.

The four-layer graft technique, a hard and soft tissue graft from the tuberosity in one piece.

OBJECTIVE: Successful immediate implant placement in the maxillary anterior zone continues to be a challenge. There is an uncertainty on whether it should be performed on patients with thin gingival phenotype or incomplete buccal plate. This clinical case report describes a novel technique for immediate implant placement with simultaneous hard and soft tissue augmentation. CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS: This technique employs a combined epithelialized-subepithelialized connective tissue graft and cortical-cancellous autogenous bone graft for the treatment of incomplete buccal plate at an extraction site. Significant horizontal bone regeneration appears to have been achieved as well as soft tissue augmentation for a central incisor in a single surgical step. Following three and a half years, gingival contours and bone augmentation were stable with a pleasant esthetic result. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the four-layer tissue graft for immediate implant placement can be suggested to improve hard and soft tissues in a single procedure. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The use of the four-layer graft technique has shown to be successful regarding function and esthetic outcomes in anterior immediate implant placement. It reduces surgical interventions and treatment time and minimizes soft tissue recession and bone resorption.

Staged extractions and implant placement in a periodontally compromised patient: A clinical report.

Staging the extraction of selected teeth in a periodontally compromised patient during complete mouth rehabilitation has advantages, including avoiding a transitional complete denture, keeping the patient with a fixed prosthesis throughout the treatment without the need to immediately load the implants, maintaining the interdental papillae, and providing comfort for the patient. The need for a multistep extended treatment and additional cost are the main disadvantage of this approach. This clinical report describes the clinical steps and follow-up of a staging approach and implant placement in a periodontally compromised patient with excessive gingival display to achieve a good functional and esthetic result.

Injectable technique for direct provisional restoration.

OBJECTIVE: New technique describes an alternative treatment modality of making direct provisional restoration. CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS: A preoperative wax-up should be fabricated, followed by fabrication of a transparent polyvinyl siloxane (VPS) matrix in a clear plastic prefabricated tray with retentive holes. After the tray is separated from the model, two additional holes will be made through the tray and the VPS for injecting and venting of the temporary resin. After the teeth are prepared and the separating medium applied to them, the resin should be injected into the entrance hole using the provided auto-mix cartilage tip. The flow of the resin around the preparation can be observed through the clear mold and once the resin starts to extrude from the exit hole. It is necessary to block the exit hole with a finger while continuing to inject. This will increase the pressure inside the mold and improve marginal adaptation. Before complete polymerization, the matrix is removed. The provisional restorations are removed from the matrix and contoured, adjusted, and polished. CONCLUSION: This technique will help the clinicians to enhance the quality of the provisional restorations, to prevent entrapment of bubbles, improve marginal precision and prevent seating error. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study described a novel technique for constructing a direct provisional restoration by injecting bis-acryl temporary resin into a matrix that is already seated over the prepared tooth.