title: A digital approach for one-step formation of the supra-implant emergence profile with an individualized CAD/CAM healing abutment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This Technical Procedure describes a novel workflow for a one-step formation of the supra-implant emergence profile in the esthetic zone - the 'Digitally Flip Technique' (DFT).
  
  
  METHODS
  After implant placement, a post-operative intra-oral optical scan (IOS) was performed to capture the final three-dimensional implant position. Based on the superimposition of the digitally slice-wise DICOM-segmentation of the digitally flipped (mirrored) contra-lateral tooth and the STL-file of the IOS, an individualized healing abutment was CAD/CAM-fabricated out of PMMA-based restoration material in a fully digital workflow and seated at the stage of reopening surgery. One single treatment step was necessary for final modulation of the supra-implant mucosa architecture in order to mimic the morphological emergence profile of the contra-lateral tooth within a short-span time frame of four days after insertion of the individualized healing abutment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implant crown emergence profile could be shaped immediately after reopening according to the three-dimensional radiographic contour of the digitally flipped contra-lateral tooth. Estimating the emergence profile or time-consuming step-by-step conditioning of the mucosa through an additionally produced implant provisional was therefore avoided.
authors: Department of Reconstructive Dentistry & Gerodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland. Electronic address: tim.joda@zmk.unibe.ch.
authors: Tim
authors: T
authors: Joda
authors: Department of Prosthodontics & Dental Materials and Dean, School of Dental Medicine, University of Siena, Italy.
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Ferrari
authors: Department of Reconstructive Dentistry & Gerodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland.
authors: Urs
authors: U
authors: Braegger
mesh_terms: D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials
keywords: CAD/CAM; Cone beam computed tomography (DICOM); Dental implant; Emergence profile; Superimposition