Editorial Type:
Article Category: Case Report
 | 
Online Publication Date: 26 Jul 2022

Digital Implant Dentistry Predoctoral Program at University of Kentucky

DDS, MS, PhD and
DMD
Page Range: 533 – 540
DOI: 10.1563/aaid-joi-D-22-00003
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This report describes the predoctoral comprehensive digital implant dentistry program at the University of Kentucky, College of Dentistry (UKCD). UKCD has implemented a digital dentistry workflow in the dental curriculum for predoctoral and graduate programs since 2018. Digital implant dentistry education involves using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for diagnosis and treatment planning, intraoral scanner for digital impression, and treatment planning software to plan for single implant-supported restorations and implant-retained mandibular overdenture cases. The laboratory components include virtual designing of a surgical guide and using three-dimensional printing to fabricate a fully guided surgical template for implant placement procedures for the patient. In the last 3 years, including the COVID year, a total of 294 implants have been placed by dental students. Unfortunately, 6 implants failed in the early healing time due to infection, with an overall success rate of 98%. These treatment outcomes are very favorable compared with published literature.

Keywords: digital dentistry; implant dentistry; predoctoral program; dental student
Copyright: 2022
Figure 1.
Figure 1.

Fully guided implant surgery protocol implemented in the predoctoral clinics.

Figure 2.
Figure 2.

Virtual treatment planning single implant case by a predoctoral student.

Figure 3.
Figure 3.

Prosthetically driven treatment plan implant placement and restoration.

Figure 4.
Figure 4.

(a) Nonrestorable tooth that requires extraction and future implant placement. (b) Minimally traumatic extraction of a tooth. (c) Intact fresh extraction socket walls and preserved gingival architecture. (d) Ridge preservation technique using graft material and resorbable collegen membrane.

Figure 5.
Figure 5.

A good-quality stone model scanned by an optical, dental laboratory scanner.

Figure 6.
Figure 6.

Virtual alignment of the intraoral scan of the teeth onto the CBCT scan for treatment planning implant accuracy.

Figure 7.
Figure 7.

Optimal 3D implant positioning designed based on physical wax-up of the prosthetic reconstruction.

Figure 8.
Figure 8.

3D printed surgical guide with the rapid prototyping technique.

Figure 9.
Figure 9.

Before implant surgery, the surgical guide checked for a precise fit.

Figure 10.
Figure 10.

Osteotomy prepared using a sequential drilling system for a Straumann BL implant.

Figure 11.
Figure 11.

An intraoral optical impression using an implant scan body.

Figure 12.
Figure 12.

CAD/CAM-fabricated implant abutment and crown as a definitive restoration.

Contributor Notes

* Corresponding author, e-mail: ahmad.kutkut@uky.edu
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