Skip to content
Submit a Ticket
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

What exactly are digital dentures, and how do they differ from traditional conventional dentures?

Definition and Core Differences:

  • Digital dentures are complete dentures fabricated using computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) technologies rather than traditional manual laboratory techniques
  • The fundamental difference lies in the fabrication process, not in abandoning proven prosthodontic principles
  • Digital dentures utilize the same foundational concepts that have guided successful denture fabrication for nearly a century

 

Key Distinctions:

  • Conventional process: impressions poured in stone, teeth manually arranged in wax, denture processed through flask procedures with heat and pressure
  • Digital process: impressions scanned to create 3D digital models, software designs tooth arrangement with mathematical precision, fabrication through milling or 3D printing
  • Each conventional step introduces potential errors through polymerization shrinkage, manual positioning inaccuracies, and material handling variables
  • Digital workflows eliminate many traditional error sources while preserving all clinical records permanently

 

Material Considerations:

  • Milled dentures use polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), the exact same chemistry used since 1937
  • The difference: milled PMMA is pre-polymerized under controlled industrial conditions
  • This eliminates polymerization shrinkage that occurs during conventional processing
  • Results in superior fit accuracy compared to conventionally processed dentures
  • Printed dentures use specially formulated photopolymer resins FDA-cleared for intraoral use
  • These materials have evolved dramatically since their introduction in 2015

 

Clinical Outcomes:

  • Average digital denture workflow: 2.38 appointments versus 5+ for conventional
  • Improved predictability through digital previews before fabrication
  • Enhanced reproducibility with permanent digital record preservation
  • Reduced chair time and fewer adjustment appointments

 

Additional Resources

For more information concerning the digital dentures:

 

Contact Information

For help with a digital denture solution for your next case, contact ROE Dental Laboratory: