The aim of this systematic review was to compare implant prostheses fabricated by computerassisted design and computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) with conventionally fabricated implant prostheses when assessing esthetics, complications (biologic and mechanical), patient satisfaction, and economic factors. Materials and Methods: Electronic searches for clinical studies focusing on long-term follow-up were performed using the PubMed and Ovid search engines. Concentrating on the restorative aspect of the CAD/CAM technology applicable to implant dentistry, pertinent literature was divided into articles related to implant abutments, crowns, and frameworks. Results: A total of 18 articles satisfied the inclusion criteria. Two articles reported on CAD/CAM crowns, six on abutments, and 10 on implantsupported CAD/CAM frameworks. The mean survival rate for CAD/CAM crowns was 98.85% and for CAD/ CAM abutments 100%. The mean survival rate for CAD/CAM frameworks was 95.98%. Conclusion: Based on the current literature, CAD/CAM fabricated crowns, abutments, and frameworks demonstrate survival rates comparable to conventionally fabricated prostheses. Implant survival appears unaffected by fabrication technique. Since this technology encompasses several manufacturing variations, a new definition might be necessary to accurately define the processes under which the CAD/CAM restorations are fabricated. "Complete CAD/CAM product" where no or minimal manual intervention is employed could be a possible term.
The reconstruction of lip defects through the use of the Abbe flap and other lip flap procedures involves surgical manipulation of one of the major branches of the facial artery, specifically the superior labial artery (SLA). We examined 284 hemifaces derived from 142 formalin fixed cadavers. Observations regarding the distribution patterns of the facial artery were recognized and categorized into five Types, labeled "A" through "E". Type A (135, 47.5%): facial artery bifurcates into SLA and lateral nasal (the latter gives off inferior and superior alar and ends as angular); Type B (110, 38.7%): similar to Type A, except lateral nasal terminates as superior alar (angular artery is absent); Type C (24, 8.4%): facial artery terminates as SLA; Type D (11, 3.8%): angular artery arises directly from facial arterial trunk rather than as the termination of lateral nasal, with the facial artery ending as superior alar; Type E (4, 1.4%): facial artery terminates as a rudimentary twig without providing any significant branches. Furthermore, we were able to categorize variations within each Type. Sub-Type variations were examined in Types A through C (A: 1-7; B: 1-4; C: 1-3). Our aim was to equip both the anatomist and surgeon with a more thorough understanding of the vasculature of the face, as well as to enable plastic surgeons to have a more confident approach to reconstructive procedures in this region.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.