Overview: This article provides instructions for identifying and resolving common causes of improperly seated implant scan bodies, including tooth interference, tissue impingement, and improper angulation.
Prerequisites
Appropriate implant scan body
Dental floss
X-ray equipment for seating verification
Seating Interference From Adjacent Teeth or Scan Bodies
If a scan body does not seat because of contact with adjacent teeth or another scan body, use these resolution steps:
Rotate the Scan Body
Rotate the scan body to align the narrowest aspect of the scan body with the contacting surface. This rotation often provides enough clearance for the scan body to seat fully.
Adjust the Scan Body Material
If rotation does not provide enough clearance, locate the specific area of contact on the scan body. Slightly adjust or trim the scan body material in that area. Attempt to seat the scan body again after the adjustment.
Verify Clearance with Dental Floss
Once the scan body appears seated, tighten the scan body screw. Pass a piece of dental floss through the contact area. If the floss does not pass freely, the scan body requires further adjustment. When floss passes freely, there is no contact preventing the scan body from seating.
Confirm Seating with X-Ray
After verifying clearance with floss, take an X-ray of the tightened scan body. Use the X-ray to verify that the scan body is seated properly and fully into the implant fixture. Send this X-ray along with the case according to normal protocol.
Soft Tissue Impingement Resolutions
If soft tissue prevents the scan body from seating properly, replace the healing cap on the implant. Allow the tissue to respond and heal before attempting to seat the scan body again.
Correcting Improper Scan Body Angulation
The scan body screw must drive into the implant fixture passively. If you feel resistance or the scan body will not seat, the angulation may be incorrect. Unscrew the scan body, adjust the angulation, and replace the scan body correctly into the implant fixture.