Restorative dentistry done digitally: Implementation and evaluation of some digital tools in contemporary implant dentistry

The restorative dentist has to deal with a dilemma: He/she not only needs to keep up with modern technology in order to be able to offer state-of-the-art care but also needs to identify which tools are unnecessary among the vast range of novelties offered by the industry. This PhD thesis focuses on some aspects of restorative dentistry related to digital production and treatment execution, more specifically to the field of oral implantology.
From the several studies that were performed in this thesis it was concluded that patients prefer digital impression taking over the conventional way of taking an impression. In addition, it requires less operating time. Contemporary restorative materials are made of ceramics, such as the white and esthetically pleasing zirconia (3Y-TZP). We demonstrated that this material can function adequately when used as abutment for implant-born restorations and do not exhibit signs of degradation after one year of clinical service. They were as strong as before. However, milled composite resin crowns do not adhere very well to these materials.