Implant site preservation using a novel post and crown

The combination of IPS e.max and in-office CAD/CAM technology allows the clinician the ability to create an esthetic and predictable moderate-term provisional to preserve a site for future implant placement.

Introduction

Implant placement in the esthetic zone is the ideal treatment option when diagnostic criteria are satisfied.[1] Finances, however, can act as a barrier to treatment. A moderate-term, esthetic provisional would allow the patient the opportunity to overcome barriers. In-office CAD/CAM technology would allow for immediate prosthesis fabrication.

CAD/CAM stands for computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing, respectively. CAD allows the clinician to digitally capture an image of a preparation and then design an indirect (out of the mouth) restoration by using software.[2]

After the ideal restoration has been produced, the design is then fabricated out of a material by a milling machine. E4D is an in-office dental unit (D4D Technologies). IPS e.max is a metal-free, esthetic dental material used in indirect restorations. IPS e.max is composed of lithium disilicate, and it’s ideal physical and esthetic properties allow it to be the first choice for CAD/CAM restorations.[3] IPS e.max has the ability of detailed CAM production and has strength second only to gold.[3]

Clinical case

Presentation: A 28-year-old male patient presented with a failed post and core and porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crown. His chief complaint was that the ‘fake tooth’ has become dislodged several times and he requested a long-term solution.

Medical history was non-contributory. Clinical and radiographic examination indicated an endodontically treated central incisor with no apical pathology and a failed post and core/crown restoration. The PFM crown was still cemented to the post and core and lacked a ferrule effect. The post and core/crown had been re-cemented several times in the past.

Diagnosis indicated: endodontic treatment, failed post and core and caries on tooth number #11. Treatment options to replace the missing tooth included: an implant supported crown, a bridge, a removable partial denture and no treatment.

The patient had interest in the implant option but requested that the old unit be re-cemented. He had several professional and personal obligations that required an esthetic provisional. Finances were a limiting factor. The existing post and core/crown was deemed poor and could not be used. Based on the situation, an alternative option was presented to the patient: an indirect IPS e.max CAD/CAM post and core/crown moderate-term provisional that would be fabricated using an in-office E4D unit. Treatment-specific informed consent was given, and the patient agreed. It was decided to generate an indirect CAD/CAM prosthesis due to the investigative nature of the clinical case.

Preparation: Tooth #11: the canal space was cleaned of cement and the remaining tooth structure was prepared as per full porcelain coverage specifications (Fig. 1). A paper clip was inserted into the canal space (Fig. 2).

A final PVS impression (Ivoclar) was taken, utilizing a Q-Trays (Research Driven) segmental tray (Figs. 3–5). A bite registration was taken for the CAD/CAM scan (Fig. 6). The patient was dismissed to the waiting room while the prosthesis was fabricated.

Indirect CAD/CAM component: The impression was poured with stone and then digitized by taking several scans of the area with the E4D scanner (Fig. 7). Utilizing CAD technology, the prosthesis was delineated. The CAD software then presented a rudimentary prosthesis based on the parameters selected. Material thickness was then evaluated.

The prosthetic design was further manipulated using the provided software tools until an acceptable result was achieved (Fig. 8).

The CAD design was executed on an IPS e.max block (Fig. 9) utilizing CAM technology (Fig. 10). The prosthesis was removed from the block and assessed for morphology and fit on the cast.

The prosthesis was then stained and glazed (Fig. 11) and fired in the furnace. After firing, the color of IPS e.max changes from purple to tooth colored (Figs. 12 and 13).

The patient returned for prosthetic delivery. The post and crown prosthesis underwent intraoral assessment (Fig. 14). The patient approved the esthetics. The prosthesis was cemented with Multilink (Ivoclar); occlusion was refined and the restoration was cleaned and polished (Fig. 15).

Discussion

This report represented a clinical investigation; as IPS e.max blocks supplied for in-office CAD/CAM dentistry have not been recommended for posts or post and core/crown combinations. This was due to the fact that block application for posts has been unexplored and that the strength of IPS e.max for posts had yet to be determined.

The CAD software was quite limited and did not have the capability to generate an intra-canal projection. The optical scanner also had limitations, as the angle of acquisition had to be manipulated to acquire digitized data. Finally, the CAM unit’s ability to generate a complex crown unit with a canal projection (post) had yet to be determined.

Several factors were evident that allowed for the completion of this case. The patient requested a “temporary,” highly esthetic procedure until financials permitted the ideal treatment. The inability to use his existing restoration opened up the opportunity for this investigative trial.

The patient’s occlusion exhibited mild overlap and overjet; therefore, occlusal forces would be minimized. The patient was committed to wearing his occlusal appliance. That the adjacent teeth had no other restorations present reinforced the necessity for minimally invasive dentistry.

Conclusions

CAD/CAM technology has been harnessed utilizing IPS e.max to provide for an investigative moderate-term, predictable and esthetic anterior provisional. Further studies are required to: quantify the strength of IPS e.max, assess its role as an intra-canal projection (post) and develop the technology for CAD/CAM procedures.

The potential seems to exist for IPS e.max to act as a predictable, moderate-term and esthetic canal-retained prosthesis. This novel approach will enable site preservation and optimize clinical condition for future implant placement.

Disclosure: Dr. Les Kalman is the co-owner of Research Driven and the developer of the Q-Tray.

Note: This article was published in implants, the international C.E. magazine of oral implantology, North America Edition, Vol. 2, Issue 2, 2013. A complete list of references is available from the publisher.