A randomized clinical trial comparing the clinical fit and chairside adjustment time for implant-supported crowns fabricated by fully digital and partially digital techniques.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Implant-supported crowns made in both fully and partially digital workflows have been evaluated, but these studies have been mainly performed in vitro. Moreover, data on the comparison of clinical fitting and adjustment time for implant-supported crowns are limited. PURPOSE: The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the clinical fit and adjustment time for implant-supported crowns produced by a partially and fully digital workflow in partially edentulous participants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-eight participants who had received 2 adjacent implants in posterior sites were enrolled, each receiving 2 custom titanium abutments and a splinted monolithic zirconia restoration. Restorations of the control group (n=14) were produced from a digital scan and a cast-free digital workflow, while the restorations of the test group (n=14) were from a conventional impression and a partially digital workflow. A blinded investigator delivered the restorations. The clinical adjustment was performed incrementally, and a digital chronometer recorded the time required for the evaluation and adjustment at each step. An independent t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and the Fisher exact test were used to evaluate the results (α=.05). RESULTS: The total mean adjustment time in the control group (12.49 minutes) was significantly longer than that of the test group (11.27 minutes) (P<.001). For the occlusal contact points, significantly less clinical adjustment time was required with the cast-free digital workflow (5.31 minutes) than with the model-based partially digital workflow (6.06 minutes) (P=.001). On other surfaces, no significant difference was found between the 2 groups (P>.05). All crowns could be successfully delivered after 2 clinical appointments (impression and delivery). Remakes were not necessary for any restorations in the test or control group. CONCLUSIONS: The parameters of occlusal adjustment time and total adjustment time of the fully digital workflow were significantly shorter than those of the partially digital workflow.

A combined digital technique to fabricate an implant-retained auricular prosthesis for rehabilitation of hemifacial microsomia.

Implant-retained auricular prostheses provide an excellent treatment option with better retention and stability than a conventionally retained prosthesis. This article presents a technique for auricular reconstruction for a patient with misplaced implants. The scanning process combined the use of an intraoral scanner and a facial scanner to enhance accuracy in space management for different parts of the auricular prosthesis and to reduce sculpting time.