Fully digital occlusal splint workflow: protecting your patient’s implant prosthesis while optimizing your digital equipment

Full arch implant-supported restorations (or any full arch or extensive tooth-supported restorations) are often subjected to potentially destructive occlusal or eccentric loading forces.

These prostheses represent a significant biological, temporal and financial investment for the patient as well as the clinician. The commitment to their maintenance is a longterm one. The fabrication of a occlusal splint may serve to mitigate the potentially destructive forces these restoration may experience, and therefore, may help to prevent material failures, component loosening or breakage and thus, minimize costly prosthetic and biologic complications. With the refinement of a viable totally digital workflow for the fabrication of occlusal splints, the difficulties associated with the traditional analogue fabrication process have been eliminated resulting in a much more efficient and cost-saving protocol. Digitally designed and fabricated occlusal splints are a simple solution to help protect the prostheses that were so carefully planned and executed. This combined lecture and hands-on presentation by a prosthodontist-dental laboratory technician team will review the rationale and indications for occlusal splint use as well as their digital design and manufacturing process.

Learning objectives:

•  Understand the importance of providing an occlusal splint following the completion of treatment
• Understand a complete digital workflow from data capture to design to manufacture of occlusal splints
• Understand ways to optimize utilization of digital equipment