Your guide to Digital 3D Printed Dentures

Contents:

• The Digital Print Denture Process
• Digital Denture Benefits for the Patient
• Treatment Options
• Denture Process with the Lucitone Digital Print Denture™ System -  From first visit to a beautiful finished denture

The Digital Print Denture Process

If natural teeth are lost, whether from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, dentures can help replace missing teeth and restore the smile. Dentures offer the benefit of enhancing your chewing and speaking ability, supporting the facial structure, and improving the appearance, replicating any natural tooth, of any age, with the most genuine esthetics.

The traditional denture process can be complex and time consuming. Digital technology has created a more precise way to craft dentures that fit your mouth better, look more natural and perform reliably for years to come. With 3D printed dentures you can expect a faster, easier approach to achieve a comfortable beautiful smile.

Digital Denture Benefits for the Patient

Fewer Appointments

• Fewer visits are needed before final denture delivery, compared to the five or more visits required with traditional dentures. And fewer adjustments may be needed after they received the finished dentures.

A Great Fit

• The accuracy of digital technology delivers better-fitting dentures for improved retention and comfort.
• Greater retention of appliance during mastication

Increased Esthetics

• Select the tooth shade and gum color that's right for the patient.

Easy Replacement

• A digital record is available should the denture be lost or damaged. Replacing this denture with an exact copy can take nothing more than a simple phone call and visit to the dentist.

Treatment Options

Denture Process with the Lucitone Digital Print Denture™ System -  From first visit to a beautiful finished denture

Choosing the Tooth Shade

For beautiful, lifelike dentures, choosing the right shade is essential. The shade of new denture teeth can be matched to an existing tooth or photo. You can also choose a whiter shade, optimized for your skin tone and age. Whether the patient is looking to match the color of the original teeth or would prefer a brighter look, you can help you make the perfect selection. These are the key questions to ask to your patient:

• Do you have a previous denture that you want to match in shade?
• Do you want your denture tooth shade to reflect your previous natural appearance?
• Were you a tobacco user or had teeth with a darker appearance?
• What shade matches your skin tone for best esthetics and age appropriateness?

Selecting the Tooth Style

The size and shape of denture teeth are just as important as the shade. Different tooth shapes and sizes can provide a more masculine or feminine appearance and can even match the shape of the face. Discuss these options with your patient when choosing new denture teeth to ensure the most beautiful and natural smile possible.

The Four Basic Facial Forms

In the Square Face, the sides of the face from the hairline to the levels of the condyles to the angles of the jaw are straight and parallel.

In the Square Tapering Face, the sides of the head are parallel from the condyles upward. From the condyles downwards, the outline tapers into the angles of the jaw.

The Tapering Face is the widest at the hairline and narrowest at the angle of the jaw. The lines converge in toward the jaw.

The Ovoid Face is widest through the center at the level of the condyles. It curves upward and downward to form an oval outline.

Determining the Gum Color

Gums are as unique as teeth. Talk to your patient about choosing the shade that best matches the natural gums: original, light, light reddish pink, or dark pink. Each shade features special fibers and balanced translucency to replicate the natural appearance.

The Denture Process

• Appointment 1: Evaluation & Preliminary Impressions: Preliminary impression is taken
• Appointment 2: Final Impression & Records: Final impression to capture bite registration and essential records. 
• Appointment 3: Try-In Evaluation: Optional try-in to evaluate fit, phonetics, function, and esthetics.
• Appointment 4: Final Placement & Evaluation: Deliver new denture to patient.

With the reference denture workflow, you can combine appointments 2 & 3, reducing chairtime to 3 visits.

After the patient gets the dentures

Once a year, the patient should have an oral exam, and the dentures should be checked for overall fit and for weak areas that may eventually crack or fracture.

Dentures should not hurt. Advise your patient to call you if the dentures cause soreness or irritation that persists, or if you notice a chip, crack or fracture.