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Removable prosthesis in digital times

Front view of the scan. (Image: Drs Gualtiero Mandelli, Guiseppe Salvato & Carlo Borromeo, Italy)
Drs Gualtiero Mandelli, Guiseppe Salvato & Carlo Borromeo, Italy

Drs Gualtiero Mandelli, Guiseppe Salvato & Carlo Borromeo, Italy

Wed. 9. August 2017

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The main problem that brings patients to our surgery is an edentulous maxilla, which motivates the patient to want a functional restoration, with particular attention to the aesthetic result. The evaluation of the soft tissues of the face, from front and side view, shows a big reduction of the labial support induced by a centripetal bone retraction. More than that, the lack of sagittal and vertical bone support reduces the degree of dental- gingival exposure in case of peri-prosthetic crestal design (Figs. 1 & 2).

Considering the above parameters, to centre the aesthetic requirements it is proposed to the patient a removable implant-prosthetic rehabilitation; the goal is to achieve, with the prosthetic flange, a “prosthetic reconstruction” of the atrophic bone, thus favouring a suitable labial support with a correct teeth set-up.

The operating sequence therefore seeks to verify the soft tissues’ support by using an intraoral try-in of the set-up made on a model from a preliminary impression in alginate (Fig. 3).

The aesthetics were controlled and also confirmed by the patient’s involvement and approval who wanted a removable prosthetic solution without the palate area, and still have a good stability.

Guided by the duplication of the teeth set-up (replica), the implants were placed in the most suitable position and in a sufficient number to build a stable, aesthetic removable prosthesis without the palate. During the osseointegration period, the patient was provided with a temporary prosthesis in the zones adjacent to the implants. After the period of osseointegration, the implants were inspected and the gums had healed. The final phase also followed all the directions given to the patient about her experience with the temporary restoration.

All this information is critical to improving the aesthetics and the functional aspects in the final phase. For this reason, a new alginate impression was taken to produce an individual tray in order to produce an edentulous model and a preliminary registration rim for the mounting of the models in the articulator using a face bow. After the first phase was achieved, a teeth set-up restoring the aesthetics and the correct function was created (Fig. 5). Once these parameters were determined, the teeth set-up was duplicated using the silicone masks with a transparent resin (Fig. 6). The replica was perforated to correspondence with the implants in order to take a definitive impression in the centric relationship and with the same vertical dimension of the teeth set-up (Figs. 7 & 8).

After the production of the master model, a resin jig was created by screwing the transfers on the model and by connecting them with resin that was cut around each implant; the dentist reconnected it in the mouth, assuring the correct impression position of the implants. When the jig was returned to the laboratory, a small model was created with the new analogues; this is an important model for the verification of the passivity and the precision of the structures (Figs. 9 & 10). With the same model, the accuracy of the position of the analogues in the master model was verified. At this stage the models, the implants and the teeth set-up were scanned in order to have all the information to verify the available spaces, and the number and position of the implants; only now is it possible to correctly plan a suitable prosthetic project, according to the available spaces; this also means choosing the correct attachments that will guarantee a good retention without modifying the project carried out with the teeth set-up (Figs. 11–21).

The file was sent to the New Ancorvis milling centre for the production of a Cr-Co bar. After a few days, the bar was returned to the laboratory, and tried first on the replica model to ensure its accuracy and passivity (Fig. 22); then the bar was positioned on the master model to verify it was a good fit even compared to the soft tissues, the cuff height and the correct spaces for hygiene (Figs. 23 & 24). After that the bar was sent to the dentist to double check the precision, passivity, correct spaces for hygiene, with the help of X-rays (Figs. 25–28). After those checks had been carried out, the bar was finished and polished. At this stage, the attachments were chosen accordingly to the type of prosthesis and the project and screwed into the structure (Fig. 29).

Once the attachments were screwed in, the bar was thoroughly polished (Fig. 30). The counter-bar was produced, polished and the retentive caps were inserted (Figs. 31 & 32). With the help of silicone masks, the teeth were repositioned and waxed on the superstructure, for the final try-in in the mouth (Figs. 33–35). A final check that everything had been completed was carried out, including: the phonetics, aesthetics and the correct support of the soft tissues. Once the pink flange was finished, the prosthesis was positioned in the muffle furnace for the curing steps (Fig. 36). These systems provide a good precision and an excellent detail reproduction. Once cured, the prosthesis was extracted and finished (Fig. 37) and then to the final polishing prior to the delivery (Figs. 38–40). Finally, the superstructure and the prosthesis were placed in the mouth (Figs. 41–43), verifying the good aesthetics, function and also the satisfaction of the patient (Figs. 44–46).

Conclusion
The teeth set-up, and digital systems allow us to accurately design a complete rehabilitation, and is important in highlighting from the very early stages which solution (fixed or removable) is most suitable for the patient. In this case, the solution of a removable prosthesis made possible an optimal functional and an aesthetic result.

Editorial note: A list of references is available from the publisher. This article was published in CAD/CAM international magazine of digital dentistry No. 02/2017.

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