Abstract

Despite the undisputed advantages of dental implant therapy, a considerable number of patients cannot benefit from such treatment due to limited financial resources. In addition to the advent of reliable low-cost implant systems, the use of Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) for fabricating implant-supported restorations may help to overcome this problem. This article presents a clinical case of two implants inserted in the fourth quadrant and restored with a cementretained Fixed Dental Prosthesis (FDP). The implant system used featured a pre-mounted multipurpose abutment used for implant insertion, impression making and as a basis for the definitive restoration. Following manual adaptation of these abutments for achieving a common path of insertion, a three-unit FDP was manufactured using a CAD/CAM system. By combining old-school and up-to-date prosthetic fabrication techniques it was possible to successfully restore this patient in a reliable and esthetic way.

Keywords: CAD/CAM; Implant therapy; Esthetics; Predictability