Ghida Lawand

The success of implant-supported rehabilitations is highly dependent on the passive fit of complete-arch implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis that if not acquired, can result in numerous biological and mechanical complications. Inaccuracies in the manufacturing processes, the operator’s proficiency, and most notably, the accuracy of the impression technique being used can all add up and contribute to inadequate passive fit. Conventional workflows utilizing an open-tray elastomeric impression are still well-thought-out by many as the gold standard and treatment of choice. Yet, it is time-consuming and is often associated with problems related to material dimensional instability and warpage. With the intention of bringing these errors to a minimum, further development has allowed the introduction of intraoral scanners and extra-oral photogrammetric systems. Recent evidence implies that full-arch intraoral and extraoral digital implant impressions are found to be promising and may be equally accurate to conventional impressions. However, utilizing digital impressions in such cases has always posed an ambiguity to practitioners who strive to achieve long-term stability and function of the complete-arch implant-supported prosthesis. To escape this maze, using evidence-based literature and clinical cases, this lecture will delve deep into the advantages and disadvantages of each impression technique and will aim to clarify whether guaranteeing passivity with digital complete arch implant impressions is a fact or a fiction.

Dr. Ghida completed her Bachelors of Dental Surgery from Beirut Arab University, Lebanon and pursued her Master’s degree in Prosthodontics and Esthetic dentistry at Saint Joseph University, Lebanon. Currently, she is pursuing a professional diploma in AI and Data Science at the American University of Beirut. She is a clinical and digital instructor in the Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics Department at Beirut Arab University. She also practices dentistry at her own private practice and at Tohme Clinic. Dr. Lawand has been the winner of the Middle East and North Africa regional finals of the Global Clinical Case Contest held by Dentsply Sirona in 2018. She is an ITI Member and has published many original research work related to prosthodontics, digital dentistry, and implantology in peer-reviewed journals.