Adaptation of Digital Technology in the Esthetic Zone

Abstract

To obtain a satisfactory outcome with implant treatment in the anterior esthetic zone, first, examination of the preoperative countenance and smile line position, examination of hard and soft tissue, and diagnosis of defective alveolar ridge or extraction site are needed, followed by the creation of a placement plan for appropriate 3D positioning of the implant including patient biotype, extraction timing, implantation angle and depth, as well as surgical considerations such as creating an environment with sufficient volume including the reconstruction of peri-implant hard and soft tissue. Additionally, remarkable progress has been made in various digital devices used in the protocol from implant placement planning to actual placement. 3D examination of the treatment plan associated with determining implant position, fabricating guides using intraoperative implant position confirmed by diagnosis, and so-called guided surgery has further increased in accuracy with digital technology and has been clinically applied. Particularly with the development of intraoral scanners, techniques for performing surgical procedures by digital guided surgery using digital intraoral scan data and CBCT data are advancing, and are effective for modern implant treatment.