Digital Protocol to Record Occlusal Analysis in Prosthodontics: A Pilot Study.

Background: Digital technologies enable the accurate replication of occlusion, which is pivotal for stability in maximum intercuspation and dynamic occlusion. CAD softwares generates standardized occlusal morphologies requiring significant adjustments. The consideration of individual mandibular movements during restoration leads to better functional integration. This pilot study evaluates the efficacy of a novel, fully digital protocol for occlusal analysis recording in prosthodontics. Methods: Patients needing single or multiple metal-free restorations were included. Teeth underwent horizontal finish line preparation, while restorations on implants were either directly screwed or used multi-unit abutments. A digital impression (Trios 3 Intraoral Scanner) captured the mouth's elements. Dynamic occlusion was recorded via Patient Specific Motion (PSM). After the placement and functionalization of temporary restorations, subsequent scans included various elements, and CAD software (Dental system) was used for the restoration design. Restorations were milled in monolithic zirconia, pressed from CAD/CAM-milled wax, and sintered. Results: An evaluation of 52 restorations in 37 patients indicated high accuracy in restorations manufactured via the fully digital workflow. Monolithic zirconia was predominantly used. Subtractive (17.3%) and additive (7.7%) occlusal adjustments were mainly chairside. Conclusion: This study underscores the efficacy of meticulous verification measures and a centric contact system in reducing the need for clinical occlusal refinements in prosthetic restorations.

Detailed three-dimensional orthodontic tooth repositioning to improve restorative outcome.

The case describes the interdisciplinary treatment of a 23-year-old woman with a Class III malocclusion, missing an upper right lateral incisor, abrasion of the maxillary incisal edges, anterior gingival margin discrepancies, and gingival recession. Initially, the patient was treated with fixed appliances combined with orthognathic surgery. The extraction of the upper left lateral incisor and bilateral canine substitution plan was chosen. At the end of the surgical and orthodontic treatment, the restorative treatment with six veneers was accomplished to improve smile esthetics. Despite the missing lateral incisors, the patient showed a natural, good-looking final result. A symmetric incisal plane was established, a functional occlusion with average vertical and horizontal overlap was set, and the bone scallop and consequently the gingival margins were leveled. The interdisciplinary approach hid all of the initial esthetic defects of the case. The result highlights how to obtain a remarkable improvement of the smile outcome with a well-functioning masticatory system.

Immediate Loading of Implants Inserted Through Impacted Teeth in the Esthetic Area: A Series of 10 Cases with up to 7 Years of Follow-up.

The purpose of this case series was to evaluate the survival rate and the incidence of complications of implants inserted and immediately loaded in sites where an impacted tooth was present in the anterior maxillary or mandibular arches (incisor to premolar). The implants were immediately inserted, drilling through the impacted teeth. Site preparation started in the crestal bone and continued into the impacted tooth's enamel and dentin. Seven patients were treated and 11 implants were inserted, 3 in the mandibular arch and 8 in the maxillary arch. All implants healed uneventfully without any adverse clinical or radiographic signs or symptoms, resulting in a success rate of 100%. Once loaded, the implants were in function and monitored for 5 to 7 years. Although more studies and a larger sample size are needed to validate this unconventional procedure, it may be considered as a possible clinical option to overcome invasive procedures and surgical complications related to the extraction of impacted teeth.

Implant site development by orthodontic forced extraction: a preliminary study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the soft and hard tissue response to orthodontic implant site development (OISD) (ie, forced extraction), to measure the amount of tissue that was regenerated and its relationship to the amount of orthodontic vertical tooth movement, to evaluate the tissue response in teeth with different degrees of periodontal attachment loss, to understand the limits of OISD, and to evaluate the implant survival rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 hopeless teeth were treated with OISD, and 27 implants were placed in 13 patients consecutively. The level of periodontal attachment on the teeth to be extracted, amount of augmented alveolar bone, changes in soft tissue volume, and the rate of orthodontic tooth movement were recorded. RESULTS: Mean values after OISD were as follows: orthodontic extrusive movement, 6.2 ± 1.4 mm; bone augmentation, 4 ± 1.4 mm; coronal movement of the gingival margin, 3.9 ± 1.5 mm; coronal movement of the mucogingival junction, 2.1 ± 1.3 mm; keratinized gingival augmentation, 1.8 ± 1.1 mm; gingival thickness (buccolingual dimension) augmentation, 0.7 ± 0.4 mm; recession, 1.8 ± 1.2 mm; bone augmentation/orthodontic movement ratio (efficacy), 68.9% ± 17.3%; gingival augmentation/orthodontic movement ratio (efficacy), 65.2% ± 19.9%; and pocket depth reduction, 1.8 ± 0.9 mm. The implant survival rate was 96.3%. CONCLUSIONS: OISD was a viable treatment for these hopeless teeth to regenerate hard and soft tissues. Its efficacy was about 70% for bone regeneration and 60% for gingival augmentation. The residual attachment level on the tooth was not a limitation. OISD might be a valuable treatment option to regenerate tissues for implant site development in patients in need of conventional orthodontic therapy.