title: A combined digital and stereophotogrammetric technique for rehabilitation with immediate loading of complete-arch, implant-supported prostheses: A randomized controlled pilot clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traditional impressions for complete-arch restorations are complex and time-consuming, and they can be uncomfortable for the patient. New digital techniques such as stereophotogrammetry may mitigate this.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this randomized controlled pilot clinical trial was to compare the patient and dentist satisfaction and work times of traditional impressions (control group) and digital impressions with stereophotogrammetry in complete-arch, implant-supported prostheses. Success rates, implant survival, marginal bone loss around the dental implants, and prosthesis survival were also analyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized controlled pilot clinical trial included 18 participants who received 131 dental implants. Implant impressions in the experimental group were made with stereophotogrammetry (8 participants with 66 implants), while traditional impressions were made in the control group (10 participants with 65 implants). Working times were measured in minutes starting from removal of the healing abutments to their replacement after the impression. Patient and dentist satisfaction was analyzed using a questionnaire with a visual analog scale, and implant success was assessed using the Buser success criteria. Prosthesis survival was defined as the presence of the prosthesis in the mouth, without screw loosening or fracture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The work times were 15.6 (experimental group) and 20.5 minutes (control group) (P<.001). The patient satisfaction scores were 8.8 in the experimental and 7.9 in the control group (P=.02). The dentist satisfaction scores were 9.1 in the experimental group and 8.5 in the control group (P=.03). The implant success rate was 100% in both groups. Marginal bone loss was 0.6 ±0.5 mm (experimental group) and 0.6 ±0.2 mm (control group) (P=.72).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Digital impressions using stereophotogrammetry may be an alternative to traditional impressions. Patient and dentist satisfaction improved, and the work time was reduced in the experimental group. No statistically significant differences were found in terms of the implant success rate, implant survival, marginal bone loss, or prosthesis survival between the 2 groups.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Valencia University Medical and Dental School, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peñarrocha-Diago
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate student, Department of Stomatology, Valencia University Medical and Dental School, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: José Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Balaguer-Martí
authors.affiliation: Associate Lecturer, Department of Stomatology, Valencia University Medical and Dental School, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peñarrocha-Oltra
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Valencia University Medical and Dental School, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: José Francisco
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Balaguer-Martínez
authors.affiliation: Chairman and Director, Department of Oral Surgery and Implantology, Valencia University Medical and Dental School, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: miguel.penarrocha@uv.es.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peñarrocha-Diago
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Stomatology, Valencia University Medical and Dental School, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Rubén
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Agustín-Panadero
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D003761:Dental Impression Technique; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design / Q000379:methods*; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057893:Immediate Dental Implant Loading / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010780:Photogrammetry / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects