A Digital Denture Workflow Done In 3 Appointments

mm Written by Andrew Sedler

Actual Workflow for A Digital Denture in 3 Appointments

In this article, I will show the beginning phases of an actual case and follow it through to finish in a future article.

This particular case came to Burbank Dental Lab as a first test case from a doctor that wanted to begin to work in a digital workflow with the hopes to cut the number of appointments and increase the accuracy and comfort for his patients.

He wanted a workflow for his patients with existing dentures that he could complete in three office visits. The workflow that Burbank Dental Lab is providing this doctor is as follows:

Clinical Procedures for Initial Impression Appointment

Digital Denture - Scan of relined denture

In this case, the patient was happy with the current denture, just wanted a better fit.

  1. First, the doctor took a PVS reline impression on the existing old denture.
  2. Prior to scanning, he powder-sprayed the relined denture.
  3. Next, he scanned the denture with his IOS scanner and took a bite scan with the relined denture in the mouth and a scan of the opposing arch.
  4. The .stl of the scans was then transmitted to the dental lab. (See the above image)

Lab Procedures

Articulated denture scans
  • The dental lab received the files and brought the scans into the 3shape denture design module. (See the above image.)
  • The lab created a model for the denture by inverting the impression of the denture to create a positive tissue model of the arch. This inverse model is still articulated to the opposing arch so we can relate it to the old denture and the opposing design.
Invereted model of a digital scan denture
  • In this case, since we were duplicating the current denture the set-up and occlusal relationship were copied in the new digital set-up.
Overlayed on top of old denture
  • After the design was completed a monolithic try-in was milled out.
A Digital Denture Workflow Done In 3 Appointments
Burbank Dental Lab Fee Schedule 2022

Clinical Procedure for Teeth Try-In Appointment

Try-in teeth setup - Fig. 14
  • Since the try-in was milled from the digital impression file, little to zero under needs to be blocked out since it never has to be seated on a model. This results in a bite-block (when needed) and teeth try-in prosthetic that is exactly like the final denture will be. (Even better than a conventional final denture.)
  • Try-in for this type of digitally fabricated (printed or milled) teeth try-in involves what you would expect: checking for an occlusal relationship, proper vertical, tooth placement, as well as being able to accurately confirm speech issues. It also allows for confirmation of fit and comfort.

    Take note that if the fit is loose in any way, a wash reline is recommended at this appointment so that the final prosthetic can fit more precisely.
  • You should also understand that digital dentures typically will not need a post-dam to be part of the design as the fit alleviates the need for a post-dam to enhance suction.
  • Perform any occlusal adjustments at this time, and they will be copy-milled into the final denture.
Narrow Diameter Implant Workshop

Try-In Results

Denture Technology - Digital Dentures - Ivoclar - Burbank Dental Lab Los Angeles

This case has now been tried in and was a successful fit with minimal adjustments. The doctor actually commented that the try-in fit extremely well. (We have never heard a doctor comment on the fit of a try-in as we all have come to know that try-ins were for occlusion and tooth placement and that the fit was a hoped-for result in the final denture.)

NOW the fit is part of the equation for a try-in.

Next Step: Final

Ivoclar Digital Denture System by Burbank Dental Lab

The next step for this case will be an Ivoclar milled denture with monolithic teeth and a milled base. We will update you and show you the final images when the final restoration is delivered in a few weeks.

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Fabrication
of the future
is here!

Burbank Dental Lab has three new state-of-the-art Carbon M2 printers. We are very excited about the options that these cutting-edge printers will allow us to offer our dental clients. Here are some of the advantages that these printers will begin to deliver to you and your dental practice.

Our New
State-Of-The-Art
3d Printers

Carbon offers a highly dependable 3D manufacturing solution for many dental applications with its breakthrough Digital Light Synthesis™ technology, enabled by a wide range of dental materials.