Strategic Use of CAD-CAM Interim Restoration for the Recovery of the Vertical Dimension of Occlusion in the Posterior Partially Edentulous Jaw

Abstract

Occlusal contact loss occasionally occurs following the placement of implant-supported fixed dental prostheses in the posterior region. This complication is caused by the change in the vertical dimension of occlusion after the recovery of mastication. The change is probably related to the prosthesis sinking phenomenon and previous mandibular dislocation. The use of interim prostheses could help re-establish the vertical dimension of occlusion. The definitive prostheses can then be accurately fabricated using digital techniques in the newly established vertical dimension. In this case report, we introduce a protocol incorporating a computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) interim prosthesis and digital techniques to minimize the occurrence of unexpected initial occlusal changes in the prosthetic treatment of implant-supported prostheses in the posterior region.

Accuracy of Implant Position Reproduction According to Exposed Length of the Scan Body during Optical Scanning: An In Vitro Study

“…Digital impressions and restorations can be made by using an intraoral scanner to digitally acquire images of teeth and surrounding tissues directly in the oral cavity, thereby replacing existing impressions (alginic acid, polyvinyl siloxane, or polyether) and eliminating errors that may occur when using other methods [16,17]. Consequently, fabrication of various types of implant prosthesis using a digital method has become common [18][19][20]. In the workflow of manufacturing an implant prosthesis, it became possible to acquire digital data and fabricate a prosthesis by capturing an implant scan body (ISB) connected to the implant fixture, surrounding teeth, and soft tissue in three dimensions using an intraoral scanner [21,22].…”