Encode® System in The Anterior Esthetic Zone
Dr Osama Qutub BDS, DScD, FACP
Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia.
The Encode System was designed to simplify the fabrication of implant-retained crowns and fixed partial dentures by making impression at the healing abutment level rather than implant-level impression. Each Encode healing abutment features special codes engraved at its occlusal surface representing the implant restorative platform, hex orientation, implant angulation and implant depth.
Placing an implant in the esthetic zone is highly demanding, requiring meticulous diagnosis and treatment planning. To obtain symmetrical and more predictable result.
Our aim was to take all the advantages of the Encode System after preservation of the soft tissue around extracted lateral incisor by immediate placement and temporization of the implant in the esthetic zone.
A twenty three years old patient presented with fractured tooth #12 and the tooth was determined non-restorable. After tooth extraction the coronal third of the root was used to transfer the existing emergence profile over the master cast. Immediate implant was placed with immediate screw retained temporary crown was placed to preserve the original soft tissue around the implant.
After complete osseointigration of implant, abutment level final impression was made using Encode healing abutments. The master cast was mounted on a simiadjustable articulator and then sent to Biomet 3i. The casts were scanned and a 2-D image of the custom abutment was designed and sent to me for approval. After that, the abutment was milled and shipped for try in. Custom abutment seating was verified clinically and radiographically. No adjustment was necessary. Finally, all ceramic crown was fabricated and delivered.
In conclusion, immediate implant placement and temporization allowed us to replicate the emergence profile of the provisional restoration in the custom abutment. Encode restorative system reduced both chair time and cost with achieving excellent result.