Use of implant-supported interim restorations to transfer periimplant soft tissue profiles to a milled polyurethane definitive cast

Abstract

A customized impression coping is often used in conjunction with conventional implant impression techniques to transfer a well-defined periimplant soft tissue profile resulting from an implant-supported interim restoration to the definitive cast with a removable gingival replica and achieve the desired esthetic outcome of the definitive restorations. However, a direct line of sight between the intraoral scanner and the periimplant soft tissue is needed during the data acquisition of the digital impression techniques, and it is not possible to use customized scannable impression copings to support periimplant soft tissue. This study describes a clinical technique with implant-supported interim restorations to transfer desired periimplant soft tissue profiles to the milled definitive polyurethane cast with a removable periimplant soft tissue replica to maximize the esthetic outcome of the definitive restorations.