The field of dentistry has witnessed remarkable advancements in recent years, with technology playing a pivotal role in reshaping traditional practices. Among these innovations, digital dentures stand out as a groundbreaking development. Integrating digital workflows into denture fabrication offers significant benefits in terms of precision, efficiency, and patient satisfaction. This article explores digital dentures’ evolution, process, benefits and future, shedding light on why they are a game-changer for dental practices.
With the advent of digital technology, a new era in denture production has arrived. Digital workflows featuring tools like 3D scanners and computer-aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM) are enhancing the foundation built by traditional methods. By complementing established practices, digital dentures bring streamlined processes and new possibilities for personalization and efficiency.
NDX Digital Dentures, offered by National Dentex Labs, are a prime example of the advancements in digital denture technology. NDX utilizes state-of-the-art intraoral scanners and CAD/CAM systems to create highly precise and customized dentures. The digital workflow allows for efficient communication between the dental practice and the laboratory, streamlining the fabrication process and reducing turnaround times.
Digital dentures are removable prosthetics designed and fabricated using advanced digital technologies. By utilizing intraoral scanners to create virtual models of a patient’s oral anatomy, dentists can employ specialized software to design customized dentures. These designs are then produced using state-of-the-art 3D printing or milling techniques.
The result is a highly precise, reproducible prosthesis that often requires fewer appointments, enabling dentists to provide quicker solutions while maintaining the high standards set by traditional techniques. Digital workflows, such as those offered by National Dentex Labs (NDX), cater to various needs to create immediate, copy, or reference dentures.
Copy Denture: Creates a replica of an existing denture with options for minor modifications, such as shade changes.
Reference Denture: Uses an existing denture as a base to develop a new, customized prosthesis.
Immediate Denture: Designed before tooth extraction, ensuring patients have functional dentures immediately after their procedure.
Each workflow builds on the understanding of patient needs established through traditional methods while offering the added benefits of digital precision.
The overview of steps used for scanning the copy or reference denture include:
Steps to scan for an immediate denture workflow include:
Digital dentures offer several enhancements that complement the strengths of traditional dentures. These include precision, faster turnaround times, enhanced patient comfort, reproducibility, esthetics and cost-effectiveness.
Digital dentures are suitable for a wide range of patients, including those who:
Digital dentures represent an exciting evolution in prosthodontics, building on the legacy of traditional practices to offer even greater precision, efficiency, and customization. By integrating advanced technology with the artistry of dentistry, digital dentures are elevating patient care to new heights. With continued innovation, this approach promises a future where restoring smiles is faster, more accessible, and is tailored to every patient’s needs.
National Dentex Labs is at the forefront of the latest in digital denture technology and utilizes the strongest and most esthetic materials to fabricate NDX Digital Dentures. NDX also offers complimentary chairside or virtual training and support for digital denture scanning best practices to help dental offices improve proficiency. For more information about NDX Digital Dentures, please visit nationaldentex.com/digital-dentures.