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The remarkable advancements in science and technology today have brought countless benefits, especially in the field of dentistry. For full-arch dental implant treatment, patients no longer have to worry about discomfort or self-consciousness about missing teeth thanks to the introduction of PIC (Precise Implant Captures) technology. This innovative solution enhances both the comfort and precision of implant procedures. Let’s explore more details below!
1. What is PIC (Precise Implant Captures)?
The PIC system utilizes stereophotogrammetry technology to determine the precise position of implants. By digitizing the impression-taking process, PIC ensures superior accuracy, significantly reducing treatment time while providing a seamless and comfortable experience for patients who have lost multiple or all of their teeth.
PIC is primarily used to capture implant positions in full-arch or multiple single implant cases, ensuring optimal precision for the final restoration.
2. How Does the PIC Impression-Taking Process Work?
The PIC impression-taking process is simple, fast, and highly accurate. The steps include
Step 1: Capturing Implant Positions
- The doctor places PIC transfers onto the implants.
- The PIC camera records images of the transfers and measures key parameters via specialized software. The entire scanning process typically takes less than 30 seconds in most cases.
- The captured data is stored as a PIC file and exported in STL format for further processing.
Step 2: Soft Tissue Scanning
Soft tissue data is essential for creating a complete digital model. This is done using an intraoral scanner.
Step 3: Aligning the Restoration Model
The PIC system integrates with CAD/CAM software (exocad® or 3Shape®) to align implant positions with soft tissue data, ensuring a perfect final prosthesis.
3. How does PIC technology compare to traditional impressions?
Impression-taking is a crucial step in implant treatment, allowing doctors to create an accurate model of the patient’s mouth for precise restorations. However, traditional methods often involve rubber and plaster materials, which can cause discomfort, gag reflexes, and even slight pain for some patients.
Unlike conventional impressions, PIC technology leverages advanced light-based photogrammetry, eliminating the need for messy materials. This results in a much more comfortable, pain-free, and highly precise experience. PIC technology has been FDA-approved since 2019 and has successfully been used for over 650,000 edentulous patients worldwide. It offers an outstanding precision level of <4 microns, ensuring passive-fit restorations for enhanced long-term stability.
4. Elite Dental – The first clinic in Vietnam to apply PIC technology
At Elite Dental, we are proud to be the first dental center in Vietnam to integrate PIC technology into full-arch implant treatments. This innovation allows us to:
✅ Digitize the impression process for greater efficiency and comfort
✅ Reduce chair time by capturing multiple implant positions in a single scan
✅ Provide same-day temporary restorations (within 2–4 hours) so patients can leave with an immediate functional and aesthetic smile
✅ Shorten overall treatment time without compromising long-term effectiveness.
Take the case of Ms. X, a 70-year-old Vietnamese-Australian patient who had multiple missing and severely loose teeth. Eating was difficult, and she lacked confidence in social interactions. After a consultation, she was advised to undergo full-arch ProArch/All-on-4 treatment. She returned to Australia after the initial phase of extractions and bone grafting.
Six months later, Ms. X came back for the final prosthesis. At this stage, the doctor used PIC technology to precisely capture implant positions, significantly reducing treatment time while ensuring an optimal fit. Ms. X was delighted with the comfortable experience and excellent final results.
As a specialized implant treatment center, Elite Dental is dedicated to continuous innovation, incorporating cutting-edge technologies like PIC to enhance both treatment outcomes and patient comfort.
✨ Don’t let missing teeth affect your quality of life! Contact Elite Dental today to schedule a consultation with our expert team. We’re here to help you regain your confidence and smile! 💙
