A Method for Obtaining Peri-Implant Soft-Tissue Contours by Using Screw-Retained Provisional Restorations as Impression Copings: A Clinical Report
In the esthetic zone, remodeling of the peri-implant soft-tissue contours through the use of provisional restorations is one of the imperative key factors for optimizing outcomes. Several methods have been described to produce the desired peri-implant soft-tissue contours using customized impression copings or cement-retained provisional crowns. The aim of this article is to present an alternative method for obtaining the desired peri-implant soft-tissue contours by using screw-retained provisional restorations as impression copings, which facilitates the definitive prosthesis fabrication.
Figure 1. Preoperative frontal view: maxillary right primary lateral incisor prolong; retained and congenital missing left lateral incisor was presented. Figure 2. Immediate implant was placed in the right lateral incisor, and the guided-bone regeneration procedure was performed simultaneously with implant placement in the left lateral incisor. Figure 3. Facial view of healing abutments (3 months after implant surgery). Figure 4. Bilateral provisional crowns in situ (after 5 months of implant surgery).
Figure 5. Use guide pins as temporary screws for open-tray impression procedure. Figure 6. An implant-level impression was made with the open-tray technique by directly using provisional crowns as impression copings. Figure 7. The peri-implant soft-tissue contours were reproduced to the definitive cast. Figure 8. Facial view of the bilateral lateral incisor of screw-retained restorations at 2 years of follow-up. Note stable and good peri-implant soft tissue and interdental papillae between the adjacent teeth.
Figure 9. Periapical radiograph of the definitive restorations at 2 years of follow-up. Figure 10. Frontal view of full smile at 2 years of follow-up.
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