The Use of Nanoceramic Hybrid Material and Digital Light Processing Technology for 3D Printing of an Implant-Supported FP3 Restoration: A Case Report.

Abstract

The advancement of digital technologies, including 3-dimensional (3D) imaging and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and material science has significantly transformed dentistry. Current CAD/CAM techniques incorporate both subtractive and additive (eg, 3D printing) manufacturing methods, with 3D printing offering such benefits as reduced material waste and the ability to produce complex geometries. Much research has focused on the development of hybrid materials that merge the esthetics and durability of ceramics with the high flexural strength, low abrasiveness, and intraoral repairability characteristics of resin composites. Most hybrid ceramics, however, have been optimized for subtractive manufacturing methods, and only a few 3D-printed hybrid materials are available for permanent dental restorations. This case report documents the clinical application of digital technologies in the full-arch rehabilitation of a patient with terminal dentition, highlighting the use of 3D-printed nanoceramic hybrid materials for long-term provisionalization and as a potential permanent solution in the subsequent transition to definitive restorations. The article describes the clinical steps used in the fabrication of the 3D-printed implant-supported restoration, which was clinically tested over 1 year.