Soft Tissue Contour Impression with Analogic or Digital Work Flow: A Case Report

Abstract

Purpose: Transferring precise information to the dental laboratory is one of the key factors to achieving clinical success. The aim of the present study was to describe classical and digital work-flows used to rehabilitate an implant with a convergent collar in the aesthetic zone following the BOPT (biologically oriented preparation technique) approach and to report the three years follow-up outcomes of two patients rehabilitated following such procedures. Materials and methods: Two central incisors of two different patients were rehabilitated with a tissue-level implant with a convergent collar and, after a provisional and healing phase, one implant was “impressed” using a classical workflow and one using a digital one. The primary outcome measured was the mean bone loss. An intraoral radiograph was taken at crown delivery and at the three years follow-up visit. Secondary Esthetic outcomes pre-op and post-op were evaluated using the PES (pink esthetic score). Results: At the three years follow-up visit, radiographic analysis showed no signs of bone resorption. For the analogic procedure, the pre-and post-op PES scores were 8, whereas for the digital procedure the pre-op PES score was 4 and a post-op score of 9 was obtained. Conclusions: classical and digital work flows succeeded in giving precise and complete anatomical information of implant position, including the soft tissue contour. Minimum bone loss and an esthetic success were obtained in both procedures.

Influence of Angulation in Cervical Prosthetic Emergences Relative to the Gingival Tissue of Teeth Treated under the Biologically Oriented Preparation Technique (BOPT)

“…These methods also require changes in work protocols, requiring a learning curve and familiarization with the techniques involved; the use of intraoral scanners to obtain a digital impression necessarily calls for experienced professionals. Furthermore, there is the need for a considerable economic outlay for the introduction of such equipment in a clinical setting [22][23][24][25][26]. Moreover, BOPT is a new technique in the scientific literature, and there is a need to evaluate the behaviours of soft tissues in publications with long-term follow-up prospective studies.…”

Reproduction of Esthetic Individuality in Upper Immediate Complete Denture

“…As limitations of this clinical case, we can consider the non-use of modern oral scanning techniques (Canullo et al, 2018;Venezia et al, 2019), justified by the higher cost mainly in the purchase of equipment that does not match the economic situation of many countries around the world, as well as dental professionals. Regardless of the method used, the clinical and functional results were satisfactory, low cost and affordable, enabling health promotion especially in the elderly population who are more likely to have previous dental loss.…”

Analogical and Digital Workflow in the Design and Preparation of the Emergence Profile of Biologically Oriented Preparation Technique (BOPT) Crowns over Implants in the Working Model

“…This is particularly so considering that at the present time at least, the increase in quality of the final outcome is not always proportional to the efforts made [18,19,20]. Nevertheless, the “digital approach” has come to stay and we cannot afford delays in adopting this new workflow because things will become increasingly complex for those who “arrive late.” Classical and digital workflows succeeded in giving precise and complete anatomical information of implant position, including the soft tissue contour, and minimal bone loss and aesthetic success could be achieved using both approaches [21]. Moreover, the technology will continue to evolve and will become optimized in the next few years, overcoming the inconveniences which we may still encounter at the present time.…”