Digital Workflow for Computer-Guided Implant Surgery in Edentulous Patients: A Case Report

Purpose The purpose of this article was to describe a fully digital workflow used to perform computer-guided flapless implant placement in an edentulous patient without the use of conventional impressions, models, or a radiographic guide. Materials and Methods Digital data for the workflow were acquired using an intraoral scanner and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The image fusion of the intraoral scan data and CBCT data was performed by matching resin markers placed in the patient's mouth. Results The definitive digital data were used to design a prosthetically driven implant position, surgical template, and computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing fabricated fixed dental prosthesis. Conclusion The authors believe this is the first published case describing such a technique in computer-guided flapless implant surgery for edentulous patients.