Virtual patient concept in functional and esthetic rehabilitation: a digital workflow for multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment
The virtual patient concept has currently been performed in the field of esthetic dentistry and implant dentistry.
We usually use 4 different data including CBCT, intraoral scan, face scan and jaw motion tacking to merge into a 4D virtual patient in CAD software. Through this 4D virtual patient model, we can perform diagnosis and aesthetic analysis before treatment.
The application of virtual articulation system in 3-D digital smile design during esthetic restoration is a specific example. To acquire stable occlusion and smooth jaw movement pattern without premature contacts or interference, a digital facebow was used to collect occlusion and jaw movements information of the patient.
The original pattern of occlusion contacts and jaw movement was diagnosed as stable and duplicated to the digital design of new crowns.
Preparation of the abutments, crown lengthening surgery and final crowns fabrication and cementation was performed according to the design.
