Implant-supported rehabilitation with digital planning and surgical guidance: clinical-laboratory integration. Case report

Abstract

Introduction: Contemporary implantology has progressively incorporated digital workflows that integrate volumetric tomography, intraoral scanning, and computer-aided design, enabling prosthetically driven planning and more precise placement of dental implants. Guided surgery using 3D-printed surgical guides has emerged as a predictable alternative that enhances surgical safety and promotes clinical–laboratory integration. Clinical case: A case of a partially edentulous patient requiring implant-supported rehabilitation in the posterior region of the maxilla is presented. Digital planning was performed through the superimposition of DICOM and STL files, virtual implant design, and fabrication of a customized static surgical guide. Implant placement was carried out following a guided protocol, achieving adequate primary stability and correct three-dimensional positioning. Subsequently, the provisional prosthetic phase was completed using a CAD/CAM workflow, resulting in a restoration with appropriate fit, function, and esthetics. Conclusions: The integration of a digital clinical–laboratory workflow in the planning and execution of guided implant surgery represents a reliable and predictable strategy that optimizes surgical accuracy, reduces morbidity, and contributes to satisfactory prosthetic outcomes.