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Digitally (CAD) Designed vs. Waxed Units
2009
2012
90%
80%
90%
80%
91%
70%
82%
70%
60%
60%
50%
50%
40%
40%
30%
30%
20%
10%
18%
CAD
Custom Abutments
Waxed
Custom Abutments
20%
10%
CAD
Custom Abutments
9%
Waxed
Custom Abutments
Figure 4: Comparative percentages of digitally designed Inclusive Custom Abutments versus conventionally waxed Inclusive Custom Abutments ordered from Glidewell
Laboratories in 2009 and 2012
efficiency of CAD/CAM custom abutments,
it bears looking at some of
the industry-leading options available
today. Dedicated to providing
the highest-quality implant prosthetics
possible, Glidewell Laboratories
continuously improves the technologies,
materials, and processes used to
design and manufacture its Inclusive
line of products. Recently, the lab’s research
and development department
conducted a same-case, microscopic
comparison of an Inclusive Titanium
Custom Abutment alongside patientspecific
titanium abutments from two
other leading manufacturers. Scanning
electron microscopy (SEM) images
provide an up-close look at the critical
implant-abutment interface of these
competing solutions (Fig. 5).
Seen from this highly magnified view,
the Inclusive Custom Abutment presents
favorably in relation to its peers.
The Inclusive abutment exhibits
smooth transitions between features,
an absence of burs or tooling marks,
and an excellent finish of the mating
surface. The second sample lacks a
smooth transition between features,
displays more pronounced roughness
of the mating surface, and exhibits an
inconsistent blend line in the gingival
portion of the abutment. The third
sample exhibits burs on and around
the mating surface and connection
geometry, and a tri-lobe interface with
geometry that differs from the implant’s
prosthetic connection. The clinical
relevance of these defects could
include an increased potential for
micro-leakage 4 between implant and
abutment, and a higher risk of screw
loosening 5 caused by a less intimate fit
around the connection.
The fit and finish displayed in these images
are indicative of the commitment
at Glidewell Laboratories to achieve
and maintain an unsurpassed level of
quality. As the world’s largest dental
implant laboratory, Glidewell leverages
the expertise of dozens of certified
dental technicians in the design of its
prosthetic components. The abutment
manufacturing division is ISO 13485
Figure 5: SEM images comparing an Inclusive Titanium Custom Abutment (left) to same-case samples from a pair of leading custom abutment manufacturers
– Lab Sense: Inclusive Custom Abutments – 69