Evaluation of interproximal and occlusal contacts of single posterior implant-supported restorations fabricated using different CAD software programs: A clinical study.

Statement of problem: The accuracy of the interproximal and occlusal contacts of single posterior implant-supported restorations designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software programs remains uncertain.

Purpose: The aim of this clinical study was to assess the interproximal and occlusal contacts of single posterior implant-supported restorations designed with 2 distinct dental CAD software programs.

Material and methods: Forty single posterior implant-supported restorations were evaluated for interproximal and occlusal contacts. Restorations were designed with 2 CAD software programs (exocad and Dental System) by using the same digital scan and milled with the same milling machine and material. Two study groups were formed according to the CAD software program used (n=20). Dental floss, 12-µm shimstock, the OccluSense device, and the Medit occlusion analyzer app were used to evaluate the interproximal, static, and dynamic occlusal contacts. The Shapiro-Wilk normality test was used, and the Z-test was used to compare the results (α=.05).

Results: The interproximal and static occlusal contacts were statistically more accurate when using the Dental System 3Shape software program than the exocad software program (P<.05). No statistically significant difference in the dynamic occlusal contact was found between the 2 studied groups (P=.147).

Conclusions: The accuracy of interproximal and occlusal contacts of single posterior implant-supported restorations differed depending on the CAD software program used. The Dental System 3Shape software program demonstrated more accurate interproximal and static occlusal contacts than the exocad software program.