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.