CAD/CAM - international magazine of digital dentistry

22 I I case report _ CAD/CAM fixed prosthetics Fig. 1_A clinical photograph of the patient with the implants and healing abutments in place. Fig. 2_The work models before the actual work was started in the laboratory. Fig. 3_The starting point for CAD/CAM work is a carefully filled out order form. Fig. 4_The scanning abutments manufactured were fixed on the model. Fig. 5_The scanning abutments on the model defined the position of the implants in 3-D space. Fig. 6_The complete CAD work model with scanning abutments and a separate gingival mask scan. CAD/CAM 1_2014 _CAD/CAMfixedprostheticimplantrestorations raise many questions among dental technicians. Unfortunately, if a technician is not familiar with CAD/CAM technology, he or she might have many misconceptions about it. The design and manu- facture of fixed prosthetics still requires the pro - fessional skills of an experienced technician. With- out input, clicking a button on a computer does nothing.Thiscasereportdemonstratesthemultiple phases and challenges of dental technology work even when CAD/CAM technology is used in design and manufacture. _Case report A middle-aged male patient had an old fibre- reinforced anterior bridge. The abutment teeth of the old bridge had severe caries and the structures of the bridge had reached the end of their lifespan. The bridge was removed. Dr Juha-Pekka Lyytikkä (Hammas-Pulssi dental clinic) extracted the teeth that could not be saved and placed three XiVE implants (Ø 3.8 mm; DENTSPLY Implants) in posi- tions 14, 12 and 22. When the healing period was over, the construction of the final prosthetic restoration began. The implants and healing abutments were in place (Fig. 1) and, since the position and direction of the implants were optimal, screw-retained zirconia structures were chosen. Being able to detach screw-retained bridges and crowns when necessary offers significant benefits for both the patient and the entire dental team. Zirconia abutmentbridgesandcrownsareusuallyverywell tolerated by patients and can be cleaned easily, which is a critical factor in the retention of bone and gingival volume. The work models were fixed in the articulator beforetheworkwasstartedinthelaboratory(Fig.2). It is not necessary to divide the work model into CAD/CAM fixed prosthetics:Acase report Author_Tero Rakkolainen, Finland Fig. 6Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 3Fig. 1 Fig. 2 CAD0114_22-24_Rakkolainen 14.04.14 11:46 Seite 1