The 4D Concept_ Adding the missing link to the digital workflow

Abstract

Recent digital technological advances have allowed for the mandibular movements to be tracked and the dynamic occlusion to be recorded in real time. The digital files created can be used towards assembling a complete virtual patient and for future restorations to be best designed using appropriate dental CAD software. A case report of a female patient that attended our private practice seeking a full mouth rehabilitation procedure is described. The clinical steps taken to transform the real patient as a complete virtual patient are outlined. Special emphasis is given to the way that the patients’ own mandibular movements were recorded clinically and incorporated in a dental CAD software. A virtual articulator using mean values is most often implemented in dental CAD software to design any proposed restorations. As errors could be introduced at this design stage, intraoral adjustments and corrections are often needed during the provisional stage. Assembling a virtual patient and designing the restorations bringing the patients’ own mandibular movement to the scene could: ● Help design the most appropriate tooth shapes and occlusal morphology ● Lead to increased predictability from virtual design to actual outcomes ● Save chair time as less adjustments are generally needed ● Add the missing link to the digital workflow The use of a virtual patient model incorporating the patients’ own jaw motion during dental CAD procedures will contribute towards the optimal design and manufacturing of restorations leading to successful long term clinical outcomes.