Title of Presentation:
Improving Post Insertion Implant Complications with Digital Occlusal Technologies
Abstract Summary:
This presentation will detail the available Digital Occlusion Analysis systems (Occlusense I – Bausch, GmbH; T-Scan 10 Novus– Tekscan, USA) IOS scanners (many) and Innobyte – Kube Technologies, Canada), and demonstrate the many outcome improvements Digital Occlusion brings to case installation by minimizing post insertion complications.
Background and Objectives:
Excessive occlusal forces can lead to damaged teeth, fractured dental restorations, implant complications, and untoward patient responses following restorative treatment. Whether building a prosthetic case with analog or digital methods, problems at insertion, and sometimes soon after the patient uses their new prosthesis, are quite common in daily dental practice. Implementing one of the available Computerized Digital Occlusion technologies at prosthetic case insert, to locate, target and remove excessive occlusal contact forces and time–premature contacts, helps minimize post-insertion occlusal complications for both the patient, AND the doctor. Recently published research will showcase that Digital Occlusal Indicators reduced post-insertion implant complications by 10 times over articulating paper insertions, validating Digital Occlusion technology controls destructive implant occlusal forces. 1. Lerner, H., Mangano, C., Luongo, G., Mangano, A., Luongo, F., Van Stralen, K., Kerstein, R.B., & Radke, J, (2024). Implant Complications After Installation with Traditional Vs Digital Occlusal Indicators. Advanced Dental Technologies & Techniques. Published online February 13, 1-15.
Key Takeaway Points:
1. Recognize the differing Digital Occlusion technology options available for use in dental practice .
2. Understand how Digital Occlusion technology measures occlusal forces and timing, and can guide insertion occlusal adjustments, improving occlusal outcome predictability.
3. Discover the known limitations of articulating paper and shim stock, and why intraoral scanners cannot replace Digital Occlusal technology during case insertions.
4. Visualize how Digital Occlusion technology detects unbalanced occlusal forces despite the clinician having made traditional occlusal adjustments.
5. Realize that installing implant restorations with traditional occlusal indicators can result in compromised occlusal force and timing outcomes that lead to complications.
A number of case examples will be presented illustrating how Digital Occlusal technology installs precisely measured occlusal balance, and a protective low occlusal force profile that enhances implant longevity and improves patient comfort to a newly installed occlusion.
