title: Use of an Intraoral Laser Scanner During the Prosthetic Phase of Implant Dentistry: A Pilot Study.
abstract: The accuracy of a digital impression technique to fabricate the implant restoration and abutment for a dental implant using an intraoral laser scanner was evaluated in 36 patients who were missing a single posterior tooth in either the mandible or maxilla that was restored with a single implant. The spatial position of each integrated implant, including the surrounding anatomic hard and soft tissues of adjacent structures, was captured utilizing a special scanning abutment with an intraoral laser scanner. Data from the scanning protocol was then delivered via the Internet in the form of an STL file to the manufacturing site for the production of a custom computer-aided design abutment and crown. All 36 restorations and abutments were delivered to the patients and evaluated for marginal integrity, interproximal contact points, and occlusion. Of the 36 patients, 6 required contact adjustments, 7 required occlusal adjustments, and 3 required a gingivectomy around the implant to completely seat the restoration. Chair time for adjustments did not exceed 15 minutes. The findings suggest that an intraoral laser scanner can be used with confidence to obtain consistent and accurate digital impressions to fabricate custom restorations and abutments for dental implants.
authors: 1  Private practice in oral, maxillofacial, and reconstructive surgery, Aiea, Hawaii.
authors: Cameron Y S
authors: CY
authors: Lee
authors: 2  Private Practice in implant dentistry and prosthodontics, Toronto, Canada.
authors: Natalie
authors: N
authors: Wong
authors: 3  Private Practice in maxillofacial prosthodontics, Fort Lee, NJ.
authors: Scott D
authors: SD
authors: Ganz
authors: 3  Private Practice in maxillofacial prosthodontics, Fort Lee, NJ.
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Mursic
authors: 5  Temple University, Kornberg School of Dentistry, Philadelphia, Pa.
authors: Jon B
authors: JB
authors: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D003442:Crowns; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003761:Dental Impression Technique; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects
keywords: CAD/CAM abutments and crowns; accuracy; digital impressions; laser scanner; optical impressions