Predictability is key in prosthodontics. Discover how to enhance accuracy and efficiency in your practice by integrating technology like Prof. Vygandas Rutkunas did. He shares the six-step Total Fit Workflow for dental implantology, featuring 3Shape digital solutions.
Watch dr. Rutkunas’ 3Shape Discover talk, Predictable Digital Prosthodontics with Total Fit Workflows below
As a dental professional deeply entrenched in the digital revolution of our field, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of digital tools on dental practices. Over the past decade, the evolution of digital dentistry has not only refined how we approach traditional procedures but also significantly enhanced patient outcomes.
Today, I’m eager to share the methodology pivotal in my practice: the six-step Total Fit Workflow, enhanced through integrating 3Shape’s cutting-edge digital solutions.
Step 1: Treatment Planning - Digital Patient Model
The journey begins with a comprehensive digital patient model, which involves a thorough examination, image acquisition, and the use of reference objects for alignment and verification. Utilizing 3Shape’s software, we create a restorative treatment plan encompassing these elements, setting a solid foundation for the workflow.
Solutions that can be used during this step:
- 3Shape TRIOS: intraoral scanner used for capturing high-resolution digital impressions of the patient’s oral cavity
- 3Shape Implant Studio: Used for planning the implant placement within the digital patient model
Step 2: Guides and immediate prosthetics
The second step focuses on selecting appropriate implants and abutments, followed by designing and manufacturing surgical guides and immediate prosthetics using 3Shape’s solutions. This step ensures that the surgical and prosthetic components align with the treatment goals.
Solutions that can be used during this step:
- 3Shape Implant Studio: used for designing surgical guides and planning the placement of implants
- 3Shape Dental System: used for design and manufacturing of immediate prosthetics
Step 3: Guided surgery and loading strategy
Guided implant positioning is critical during the dental implant surgery. We confirm implant placement, assess primary stability, and decide on the appropriate healing abutments and immediate restoration or loading strategies. These processes are crucial for optimal healing and integration of the implant.
Solutions used during this step:
- 3Shape Implant Studio: ensures that the surgical guides are accurately designed to aid in guided surgery
How to ensure appropriate digital scanning image alignment by introducing reference objects.
The use of reference objects helps ensure higher accuracy of dental implant planning.
Step 4: Digital impressions and registration
This step involves taking digital impressions and registering the implant positions with impeccable accuracy. Using 3Shape’s TRIOS Intraoral scanner, we ensure that all occlusal registrations and repositioning accuracies are meticulously captured, which is vital for the subsequent laboratory procedures.
Solutions that can be used during this step:
- 3Shape TRIOS: vital for accurate digital impressions and dental implant position registration
- Shape Dental System: used for dental CAD designs based on the digital data collected
Step 5: Laboratory Procedures
Our laboratory procedures are comprehensive. They begin with the verification of registrations, followed by model fabrication and abutment selection. We utilize CAD/CAM and 3D printing technologies to finalize the restorations, ensuring each component fits perfectly within the patient’s unique dental architecture.
Solutions that can be used during this step:
- 3Shape Dental System: used extensively in the laboratory for designing of prosthetics, and possibly integrating with CAD/CAM systems for the fabrication of the final prosthesis.
- 3Shape CAMbridge: potentially used for CAM processing and to facilitate 3D printing procedures
Step 6: Delivery of final restorations and follow-up
|Prof. Vygandas Rukunas gets detailed with the Total Fit Workflow
There is so much to explore
Integrating 3Shape’s digital solutions across these steps has significantly improved the quality and efficiency of dental implant procedures in my practice. By sharing this Total Fit Workflow, I hope to inspire other dental professionals to leverage digital dentistry’s potential.
I encourage my peers to explore these technologies and workflow to see firsthand the improvements they can bring to your practice and your patients.
