Virtual 3D prosthetic and implant planning using cone beam imaging and CEREC

Abstract

Computer-aided Implant planning permits to take anatomical and prosthetic conditions and requirements into account. Information of the patient anatomy is acquired by cone beam imaging (CB) displaying information about the bone quality and quantity in three dimensions. The prosthetic and functional information of the planned oral reconstruction can either be integrated by x-ray imaging as a conventional radio-opaque wax-up or it can be acquired digitally by CEREC. The results of our experimental and clinical investigations show that both ways are feasible and that integrating different 3D modalities offers new options in implant based prosthetic restorations. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.