International Journal of Computerized Dentistry, 01/2010

There can be severe loss of the vertical dimension of occlusion due to chemical, mechanical and traumatic causes. This can give rise to both esthetic and functional problems for the patient. Restoration is possible usually only by redesigning the occlusal surfaces. The prosthetic readjustment of the vertical jaw relation represents a considerable intervention in the stomatognathic system, requiring predictable, minimally invasive methods. Longterm provisional solutions clearly superior to pure splint therapy can be produced by means of new CAD/CAM techniques. They are inserted permanently and only in this way can the patient test the new occlusal situation and the success of treating functional disorders be verified. A further major advantage then becomes apparent when the final restoration is produced. The previously adjusted and tested occlusion is retained and every tooth can be treated and restored individually. Long treatment sessions are thus a thing of the past. Keywords: bite raising, CAD/CAM, long-term temporaries, occlusion, onlays, total prosthetic restoration, splint therapy, vertical occlusal dimension

The multipiece nature of different implant systems is problematic for a number of reasons. The greatest challenge is bacterial colonization of the implant and of the surrounding tissue, because of the implant/abutment and abutment/ crown interfaces, as well as the micromovements of the individual components of the implant. A possibility of eliminating microgaps between the individual components of the implant on the one hand and avoiding micromovements on the other is described in this paper Keywords: Cerec, CAD/CAM technology, zirconium dioxide implants, immediate restoration, all-ceramic restorative care

The A3 Imperative (Anything, Anywhere, Anytime) that has left its mark on our information and knowledge society also characterizes the healthcare sector: we see "informed patients" who always consult the Web prior to their visit to the physician or dentist. The problem is that the knowledge concerning their suspected disease is often superficial. It is the task of the treatment provider to make factual information available and to discuss diagnostic aspects and therapeutic concepts with the patient, competently and based on the merits of the individual case. Dentistry is particularly affected by the online information trend, because the available restorative options cover a broad therapeutic spectrum with many conceivable alternatives that present a highly complex picture. Against this background, a dedicated three-dimensional multimedia software program was developed that visualizes all relevant individual dental treatment options in 3D as appropriate to the patient's oral status, actively supporting chairside communication. A 2D and 3D database containing more than 20,000 image and video fi les was created that visualizes - in several languages - the status of the individual patient and the planned restorative treatment. With this far-ranging concept, the process of patient-shared or participatory decision-making has been raised to new qualitative levels. Keywords: knowledge management (KM)/ knowledge transfer, public understanding of science (PUS), patient shared decision making (PSDM), chairside communication patient education, 3D film library, 3D treatment database, Dental Explorer 3D

The amount of available space between the residual ridge crest and the prosthetic teeth provide a challenge not only for the clinician but also for the dental technologist. This technical report demonstrates the applied use of a touch probe scanner (Pix30 3D Scanner, Dr. Picza, Roland DG Corporation; Irvine, CA, USA) used in conjunction with computer-assisted design (CAD) programs to reduce clinical chair time as well as reduce the cost of intraoral and laboratory components. Tooth arrangement and superstructure are scanned and positioned in various CAD programs to measure the available space for the superstructure. While there are limitations in the accuracy of the scanning process, these limitations have little effect on the treatment planning for complete overdentures as well as fixed prostheses. Once the scanning is complete CAD programs can be used to improve planning, resulting in less wasted material, fewer errors in diagnosis, and reduction both in overall clinical and laboratory costs and clinical chair time. Keywords: overdenture, intraoral, CAD, scanner, superstructure accuracy

The "Implants for inLab" implant software is based on a polyvalent bonding base which can be used on different types of implant. The modifiable part is a zirconium dioxide block with a prefabricated connection configuration for accurate coupling to the bonding base. The software offers different design possibilities which are especially suitable for implant restorations with high esthetic requirements. Keywords: implants, abutments, suprastructure, CAD/CAM, zirconium oxide