Clinical application of digital technology to implant therapy

Abstract

Recently, digital technology has been rapidly introduced to the field of dental implants. The consensus is that CT is required to decide on the length and diameter of implants. Diagnostic simulation of implant placement will become a standard protocol in the near future. Moreover, surgical guides to reproduce the simulated position in the mouth will be used more frequently. Regarding impression and fabricating prostheses, traditional methods have been gradually replaced by novel techniques. The CAD/CAM system is now essential equipment to fabricate titanium abutments and zirconia superstructures such as crown and fixed partial dentures. In addition, optical impression with intraoral scanners and fabricating dental models with 3D printers can be clinically applied. Thus, digital technology is indispensable for current dental treatments, especially for implant therapy. As described above, there is a huge potential for digital dentistry to improve traditional dentistry, and it is expected to be continuously developed. However, there are some issues to be elucidated, such as accuracy and efficiency.