title: CAD/CAM technology for implant abutments, crowns, and superstructures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this systematic review was to compare implant prostheses fabricated by computer-assisted design and computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) with conventionally fabricated implant prostheses when assessing esthetics, complications (biologic and mechanical), patient satisfaction, and economic factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electronic searches for clinical studies focusing on long-term follow-up were performed using the PubMed and Ovid search engines. Concentrating on the restorative aspect of the CAD/CAM technology applicable to implant dentistry, pertinent literature was divided into articles related to implant abutments, crowns, and frameworks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 18 articles satisfied the inclusion criteria. Two articles reported on CAD/CAM crowns, six on abutments, and 10 on implant-supported CAD/CAM frameworks. The mean survival rate for CAD/CAM crowns was 98.85% and for CAD/CAM abutments 100%. The mean survival rate for CAD/CAM frameworks was 95.98%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the current literature, CAD/CAM fabricated crowns, abutments, and frameworks demonstrate survival rates comparable to conventionally fabricated prostheses. Implant survival appears unaffected by fabrication technique. Since this technology encompasses several manufacturing variations, a new definition might be necessary to accurately define the processes under which the CAD/CAM restorations are fabricated. "Complete CAD/CAM product" where no or minimal manual intervention is employed could be a possible term.
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kapos
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D017076:Computer-Aided Design / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003442:Crowns; D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants; D003776:Dental Porcelain / Q000737:chemistry; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design / Q000379:methods*; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D003776:Dental Porcelain