Intraoral scanning and dental photogrammetry for full-arch implant-supported prosthesis: A technique.

Abstract

Objective: To introduce a novel digital workflow to replace a terminal or a complete edentulous arch with a complete-arch implant-supported fixed prosthesis.

Clinical considerations: A novel fully digital protocol provides an interim and definitive prosthesis by integrating extraoral dental photogrammetry with intraoral scanners.

Conclusions: The described technique has great potential to deliver a complete-arch implant-supported fixed interim and definitive prosthesis in edentulous patients in an efficient way.

Clinical significance: In the era of digital dentistry, using a fully digital workflow in full arch implant rehabilitations might be beneficial to replace multistep conventional methods.

Key points: Why is this case new information? To the author's knowledge, this article illustrates the first step-by-step technique that combines intraoral scanning with dental photogrammetry to provide a full-arch implant-supported interim and definitive prosthesis. What are the keys to successful management of this case? Well-defined presurgical planning and adequate primary stability of the dental implants. Accurate digital impressions of the scan bodies. A dental laboratory that is familiar with digital workflow for complete-arch rehabilitations. What are the primary limitations to success in this case? The learning curve of the scanning procedure. The cost barriers to acquire intraoral and photogrammetry scanners. Limited clinical studies that investigated the accuracy of intraoral scanning and dental photogrammetry for complete-arch digital implant impression.