The Digital Workflow for Edentulous Implant Cases

mm Written by Andrew Sedler

A Step-By-Step Workflow

Following is a simplified step-by-step workflow for an edentulous implant case, within a digital workflow.

In today’s world, it is possible to do virtually all major steps of implant prosthetic work in a digital workflow. However, it is usually carried out drifting in and out of a truly digital workflow, and we are still reliant on the traditional procedures in many instances.

Each clinician should make workflow decisions based on patient needs and practice efficiency for each case individually.

Digital Workflow Procedures for Edentulous Implant Cases

1. Create an ideal denture set-up, either from the current denture or new set-up.

The initial steps in a digital workflow for an edentulous case are essentially the same as a conventional workflow.

There are two possible starting places for any given edentulous implant case. In either situation, the goal of the initial sequence of records is to establish the desired vertical, smile line, tooth position, occlusion, and phonetics.

Duplicate of current denture - Figure 1
Figure 1
Elloway Denture Wax-up - Figure 2
Figure 2

In both cases, it is important to take a PVS to reline impression in the duplicate denture or new denture set-up.

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2. Fabricate CT Scanning Appliance. (Figure 3)

Once an ideal denture set-up is established it is then used as the basis for a CT scanning appliance.

Important design elements for the CT Scanning Appliance:

Optically scan the appliance with the stone base prior to separation, and optically scan the model after separation.

Barium Sulfate Scanning Guide - Fig. 3
Figure 3
Scanning Appliance
Figure 4
Scanning Appliance - Fig. 5
Figure 5

3. The CT Scanning Appointment

Perform the scan with the CT scanning appliance in the mouth. (Figure 6)

Dental x-ray
Figure 6

4. Surgical Planning

5. Guided Surgery Appliance Design

Guided Surgery Appliance Design
Figure 7
The .stl file is now printed with a 3D printer
Figure 8

6A. Surgical Appointment

Use the guided surgery appliance - Figure 9
Figure 9

6B. Surgical Appointment - Immediate Provisionalization

Conversion denture can be pre-fabricated using the digital implant planning software in a few different ways: Figure 10

Immediate Provisionalization - Fig. 10
Figure 10
Figure 10b
Figure 10b

The titanium cylinders are seated, and then the prosthetic is placed over the top and tacked down. The prosthetic is removed and perfected for delivery during the surgical appointment.

7. Digital impression appointment for PMMA provisional prosthetic

Edentulous scan body case baker
Figure 11

8. PMMA provisional designed and fabricated (Figure 12)

The lab merges the scan body .stl, the model scan, and the appliance scan within the design software. Once the digital merge is complete the PMMA prosthetic can be perfected and milled.

It should be noted that intra-oral full arch impressions using digital scan bodies are not 100% dimensionally accurate. Full arch prosthetics that are fabricated from an intra-oral scan are not guaranteed for fit. In these cases, it is always best to deliver a PMMA provisional that is cemented to the titanium cylinders in the mouth. This will reduce the potential for fit problems. Once the PMMA provisional is delivered and the patient has lived with it for a period of time, the PMMA provisional can be used to scan and copy mill the final prosthetic restoration.

DuraTemps PMMA provisionals produced by Burbank Dental Lab

9. Final restoration delivery

Final restorations can be fabricated from a scan and copy mill of the tested and approved provisional can be delivered in a variety of materials for the final restoration.

Layered Zirconia Screw Retained Bridge
Figure 13

The digital workflow is a rapidly changing environment. In this article we have reviewed certain steps; however, there are other workflows. It is always best to consult with Burbank Dental Lab prior to beginning a workflow on a complex case to assure that the current procedures used will assure you and your patient of the best results.

Burbank Dental Lab has the technology to assist you in the process of creating full arch prosthetics and the expertise to partner with you in the success of your cases.

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Fabrication
of the future
is here!

Burbank Dental Lab has three new state-of-the-art Carbon M2 printers. We are very excited about the options that these cutting-edge printers will allow us to offer our dental clients. Here are some of the advantages that these printers will begin to deliver to you and your dental practice.

Our New
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Carbon offers a highly dependable 3D manufacturing solution for many dental applications with its breakthrough Digital Light Synthesis™ technology, enabled by a wide range of dental materials.