title: Digital implant impressions by cone-beam computerized tomography: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the adjustment of structures designed from a digital impression of implants obtained by cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty implants were placed in five edentulous mandibles of fresh cadaver heads, six per mandible. Special scan bodies were screwed in the implants and a CBCT was taken. DICOM images were converted to STL and digitally processed to obtain a digital model of the implants. A Cr-Co structure was designed and milled for each mandible, and the adjustment was assessed as in a real clinical situation: passivity while screwing, radiographic fitting, optical fitting, and probing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Good adjustment was found in three of the structures, and only slight discrepancies were found in the other two.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cone-beam computerized tomography might be a valid impression-taking method in full-mouth rehabilitations with implants. Further evaluations are needed with more implant and CBCT systems. The radiation dose might be considered when deciding to use this impression system. The types of patients appropriate for this treatment option should also be determined to fulfill the principles of the ALARA law.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Corominas-Delgado
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Espona
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lorente-Gascón
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Real-Voltas
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roig
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. scosta@uic.es.
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Costa-Palau
mesh_terms: D001863:Bone Screws; D002102:Cadaver; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants; D003761:Dental Impression Technique; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D010865:Pilot Projects
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants
keywords: cone-beam computerized tomography; implant impressions