Full digital approach for complex oral rehabilitations on implants by Cristian Petri, CDT

Digital dentistry is rapidly advancing, and intraoral scanners have become a standard tool in prosthetic workflows. However, in the case of long-span fixed restorations, careful planning is essential to achieve passive fit and long-term success.  This lecture addresses digital workflows, material selection, and integrated technologies to optimize outcomes for implant-supported prostheses.

Digitalization is rapidly transforming the field of dentistry. What once seemed like a distant future is now becoming mainstream. A prominent example of this shift is the increasing adoption of intraoral scanners, which in many clinics have already replaced conventional impressions as the primary tool in prosthetic dentistry. Scanning offers numerous advantages: it is faster, more comfortable for patients, and easier to use, among other benefits.
However, intraoral scanning still presents limitations, particularly with fixed extended restorations. Care must be taken when planning restorations with more than five elements, as achieving a passive, tension-free fit is critical for the long-term success of implant-supported prostheses.
In addition to mastering the technology, it is essential to select the appropriate materials. Should zirconia be the default choice, or can composite esthetic materials offer a viable alternative? Composite materials on implants provide shock absorption, reduce stress transfer, are easy to repair, cause minimal antagonist wear, are lightweight, and offer cost-effective long-term maintenance. These characteristics make them particularly suitable for full-arch and high-load implant cases.
This lecture will also present an approach for developing customized prostheses supported by both conventional and subperiosteal implants. By integrating intraoral scanning with extraoral photogrammetry and selecting appropriate materials, clinicians can achieve optimal prosthetic fit while ensuring the long-term success of restorations.