Interarch space assessment in edentulous patients rehabilitated with complete removable dentures using open-access software.

Abstract

BackgroundThe interarch space is defined as the vertical space between the edentulous ridge and the occlusal or incisal aspect of the opposing arch. Measuring the interarch space in a patient requiring an implant-supported fixed prosthesis is crucial for determining the prostheses to be used in each clinical situation. Depending on the measurements and other factors, such as the need for lip support or pink esthetics issues, decisions about the most convenient type of implant-supported prosthesis can be taken. Analogic workflow to measure the interarch space can represent a time-consuming and expensive procedure that may lead to inaccuracies. ObjectiveTo describe a step-by-step protocol to measure the upper and lower interarch space with open-access software, starting from the digital scan of the patient's complete dentures obtained with an intraoral scanner. MethodsAn extraoral scan (using an intraoral scanner) of the existing complete removable prosthesis is required to assess the interarch space for making an implant-supported prosthesis treatment planning. If the existing complete denture does not fulfill the required functional and esthetic parameters, a complete interim denture, a wax trial denture, or a printed denture prototype should be previously fabricated. The antagonist arch and the intermaxillary record scan also need to be obtained. Finally, all STL files are imported into an open-access software for measuring the interarch space. ResultsOpen-source software can be used to measure the upper and lower interarch space from existing complete dentures following the step-by-step protocol outlined in this paper. ConclusionInterarch space of edentulous patients rehabilitated with complete dentures can be measured with a 360 degrees scanning of the existing complete denture and open-access software by applying the protocol outlined in this paper. Clinical relevanceThe clinician can assess and digitally measure the interarch space of edentulous patients requiring an implant-supported fixed prosthesis using an open access software.