Digital Approach Provides Predictability in Increasing the VDO in Erosive Wear: Clinical Technique and 9-Year Follow-Up.

Abstract

Objective: This clinical case describes a digital workflow using face scans and CAD/CAM technology for a full-mouth rehabilitation with increased vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) with adhesive lithium disilicate restorations after 9 years.

Clinical considerations: A healthy, 46-year-old man displaying severe tooth wear, underwent an extensive full-mouth rehabilitation involving an increase of the VDO through laminate veneers and adhesive partial coverage lithium disilicate restorations. Anatomical landmarks of the face and reference planes were captured using a digital face scanning system. The anatomical position of the maxilla was registered with a transfer device. Digital data sets of the intraoral situation combined with a facial scan enabled precise virtual planning, guiding minimally invasive preparations. Long-term provisional restorations, milled from high-performance polycarbonate, were used to test the novel VDO before the final lithium disilicate restorations were fabricated. This approach provided a time- and cost-efficient treatment solution. No failures were observed at the 9-year follow-up.

Conclusions: Utilizing face scans and design software enable a virtual visualization and comprehensive quality control for patients with dental wear, resulting in significant time savings and increased predictability for the dental technician, dentist and patient.

Clinical significance: The described digital workflow optimizes the planning and implementation of a comprehensive adhesive full-arch rehabilitation with an increase of the VDO. The clinical long-term follow up result of CAD/CAM assisted minimally invasive lithium disilicate restorations after 9 years demonstrates to clinicians a reliable treatment concept for patients with dental wear.