Evaluation of Prosthetic Marginal Fit and Implant Survival Rates for Conventional and Digital Workflows in Full-Arch Immediate Loading Rehabilitations: A Retrospective Clinical Study

Digital impression provides several advantages in implant prosthodontics; however, its use in full-arch rehabilitations, especially immediately after surgery, has yet to be validated. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyse the fit of immediate full-arch prostheses, fabricated using conventional or digital impressions. Patients requiring a full-arch immediate loading rehabil- itation were divided into three groups: T1 (digital impression taken immediately after surgery), T2 (Preoperative digital impression, guided surgery -prefabricated temporary bridge) and C (conventional impression taken immediately after surgery). Immediate temporary prostheses were delivered within 24 h after surgery. X-rays were obtained at the time of prosthesis delivery and at the 2 - year follow-up. Primary outcomes were cumulative survival rate (CSR) and prosthesis fit. Second- ary outcomes were marginal bone level (MBL) and patient satisfaction. One hundred and fifty pa- tients were treated from 2018 to 2020, with 50 in each group. Seven implants failed during the ob- servation period. The CSR was 99% for T1, 98% for T2 and 99.5% for C. A statistically significant difference in prosthesis fit was found among T1 and T2 vs. C. A statistically significant difference was found in the MBL between T1 and C. The outcomes of the present study suggest that digital impression is a viable alternative to conventional protocols for the realisation of full-arch immediate loading prostheses.