Registering Maxillomandibular Relation to Create a Virtual Patient Integrated with a Virtual Articulator for Complex Implant Rehabilitation: A Clinical Report

Abstract

The virtual patient, a unique computer simulation of the patient's face, teeth, oral mucosa, and bone, provides an extraordinary mechanism for digital dental implant surgery planning and prosthetic design. However, the seamless registration of digital scans with functional information in the context of a virtual articulator remains a challenge. This report describes the treatment of a 47-year-old male with full-mouth guided immediate implant placement and immediate loading of CAD/CAM interim prostheses. Utilizing a novel digital workflow, a multifactorial registration of the vertical dimension of occlusion, centric occlusion, and facebow record were completed digitally and paired within a digital articulator. Utilizing this innovative approach, a complex treatment plan and procedure was executed smoothly with a successful prosthetic outcome demonstrating good fit, occlusion, esthetics, and patient reported satisfaction.

Keywords: Digital dentistry; computer-assisted implant surgery; full-arch rehabilitation; virtual articulator; virtual patient.