The prosthetic rehabilitation of completely edentulous patients with dental implants remains a significant clinical challenge. Digital technology is now utilized from the early stages of treatment planning, enabling diagnostic wax-ups, guided implant placement planning, and the maintenance of vertical dimensions in existing temporary dentures. Prostheses can now be fabricated using digital impression techniques, such as intraoral scanning and jaw motion tracking, which replace conventional methods. Furthermore, digital tools enable precise assessment of occlusal relationships after prosthesis delivery. This case report describes the successful rehabilitation of a patient using a combination of analog and digital techniques. Initially, a diagnostic guide surgery was performed for implant placement. During the impression-taking phase, digital technologies, including intraoral scanning, were employed, confirming the feasibility of a fully digital workflow. Using facial scanning, the final restoration was simulated to predict patient outcomes. Mandibular movements were measured, and computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing restorations were designed on a virtual articulator through digital facebow transfer. This integrated approach yielded a predictable, esthetically pleasing, and functionally stable outcome, demonstrating the synergy between digital innovation and fundamental prosthodontic principles.
Han et al. (Tue,) studied this question.