Tooth Splinting: Implementing a 3D-printed Guide with Pre-defined Composite Resin Reservoirs: A Digital Workflow
The integration of digital technologies in dentistry has led to the development of various techniques to facilitate tooth splinting. In the present digital workflow, the advantages of the virtual treatment plan were combined with the versatility of the commercially available tooth splinting materials. An intraoral scanner was utilized to digitize both arches along with the patient’s occlusion, eliminating the need for models from physical impressions. A template based on the virtual design of the splint was 3D-printed and served as a guide to individualize a twisted wire. The bent wire was transferred and bonded, using a 3D-printed template with pre-defined reservoirs for the composite resin. Digital technology has been implemented for tooth splinting, by fabricating a splint after its virtual design. However, the digital fabrication of the metal splints is available for limited splinting materials and the service is only provided by specific centers around the world.SUMMARY
Intraoral scans of the maxillary and mandibular arch imported in the open-source software.
Virtual removal of the pre-existing failing tooth splinting.
(a) Mark of tooth splinting area; (b) occlusion checking; (c) generate the space for the retainer in the selected position.
(a) 3D-printed guide for the adaptation of the retainer; (b) the retainer manually bent following the guide.
Design of the composite resin tags, for the bonding of the tooth splint.
3D-printed cementing template. (a) Digital design for the application of the composite resin into the guide; (b) digital design for injection molding technique; (c) the 3D-printed guide with the accessing holes for injection molding with a flowable composite.
(a) Application of the composite resin into the guide followed by the insertion of the retainer; (b) insertion of the retainer followed by injection of flowable composite for an injection molding approach; (c) image after removal of the guide; (d) splint after polishing and finishing.
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