Engineering prosthetic axes for unparallel full arch implants by the virtual selection of abutment orientation and angulation

Abstract

A technique for virtual determination of the abutments' angulation, orientation, and gingival height for unparalleled osseointegrated dental implants is described. A cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and an optical scan were performed for the arch to be restored. The wax-up prosthesis was designed using the Exocad software program, and implants were virtually placed over the osseointegrated implants appearing in the CBCT using an implant planning software program. The abutments were virtually placed, and their angulation and orientation were selected according to the virtually designed prosthesis. This technique offers a time- and cost-effective digital solution for engineering unparallel implants' prosthetic axes.