FACIAL SCANNING AS AN ELEMENT IN THE IMPLANT TREATMENT PLANNING OF FULL EDENTULOUS PATIENT

Abstract

Introduction. The implant-prosthetic rehabilitation of the full edentulous patient implies the complete rehabilitation of the functions of the dento-masticatory apparatus, and the first step is a judicious planning of the treatment. In addition to classical analysis, facial scanning, a newly introduced imaging method, can bring precious information into the planning of this treatment, or by referring to the soft parts essential to restoring the aesthetic function. Material and methods. A batch of 10 bimaxilary full edentulos patients was consisted; patients’ whose medical files were analyzed in a first phase. Following the clinical and complementary evaluation, a patient who met all inclusion criteria was selected in the second phase and decided to carry out facial scanning with the Planmeca Pro Face 3D application in addition to classical implant insertion investigations. Results and discussions. Facial scanning with Planmeca Pro Face 3D has generated a complex image – resulting from triad association – soft parts, bone supply, prefiguration of future dental archways (CBCT with radio-opaque teeth), essential elements in high-implant prosthetic treatment planning of difficulty and high aesthetic requirements. The method has limitations on patient positioning and image compatibility with CBCT images. Conclusions. Facial scanning is an imaging method of interest in planning implanto-prosthetic treatment. Its introduction into the standard planning protocol for total implantation edentation treatment requires further studies in terms of image calibration precision.

Keywords

• full edentulism
• dental implants
• facial scanning