Applications of Digital Dentures

Fabrication of immediate dentures: The digital protocol can be applied to the fabrication of immediate dentures. The steps involve making digital/conventional impressions, conventionally registering the interocclusal records, assessing the position of the existing natural teeth in the mouth, and recording the changes required to be made to the existing tooth positions. All the records are sent to the laboratory where they are scanned for digital denture fabrication. The teeth are virtually extracted from the virtual casts and prosthetic teeth are planned in optimal locations based on the clinical records. A try-in prosthesis may be printed for the try-in procedure if needed. The digital dentures are milled or printed, natural teeth are extracted and the digital dentures are placed in the oral cavity using conventional prosthodontic procedures.

Fabrication of radiographic guide: Radiographic markers can be attached to the digital prostheses or the prototype dentures and then they can be used as a radiographic guide while recording a cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) scan. The data obtained from the CBCT scan can be used to plan implant positions and also fabricate a surgical guide which will help with the 3D placement of the implants. The data generated during the fabrication of the prototype can then be used as a guide for framework fabrication and milling of the definitive prostheses.

Fabrication of implant-supported overdentures: The protocol used for the fabrication of complete dentures can also be used to fabricate an implant-supported overdenture. However, there are a few minor variations, they include the following:

• The attachments are selected based on the height of the mucosal cuff and are attached to the implants.

• A processing spacer is placed over the attachments.

• Conventional/digital impressions and records are made with the attachments and the processing spacer in the mouth.

• All the records are sent to the laboratory and scanned for digital denture fabrication. Recesses are planned in the denture base in the location of the overdenture attachments and the retentive elements of the attachments are picked up chairside at the time of prosthesis placement.

Fabrication of implant-supported fixed prostheses: The data generated during the fabrication of the prototype/transitional denture can be used as a guide for framework fabrication and milling of the definitive fixed prosthesis as the same tooth positions are used throughout the treatment.