What kind of training or education do I need before starting digital dentures?
What is the foundational knowledge required to start digital dentures?
- Solid understanding of conventional complete denture prosthodontics
- Ability to evaluate denture fit, retention, stability, and occlusion
- Knowledge of vertical dimension(VDO) assessment and jaw relation records
- Esthetic evaluation skills for tooth position and arrangement
- Experience with denture adjustments and problem-solving
What digital-specific skills should be developed for digital denture workflows?
- An understanding of digital file formats (STL files) and basic management
- The ability to evaluate digital previews effectively
- Communication through visual markup of screenshots
- Recognition of when tooth positions or designs are incorrect in a digital preview
- Familiarity with monolithic trial denture adjustment (paradigm shift from wax)
Recommended Educational Resources:
Online Video Tutorials:
- ROE offers free YouTube videos on digital dentures and associated workflows
- Dentsply Sirona also offers free YouTube videos on reference denture and wax rim workflows
- These show complete workflows from start to finish with clinical cases
- Multiple viewing recommended to absorb all details
Digital denture hands-on courses:
- Look for CE courses specifically on digital denture workflows
- Prioritize courses offering hands-on experience with materials and software
- Laboratory-sponsored courses often provide excellent practical training
- University-based programs offer comprehensive theoretical background
Conduct a digital denture literature review:
- Read the 2012 "classic" manuscripts on first commercially available digital dentures
- Review systematic reviews on milled and printed denture outcomes
- Study technique articles from the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
- Familiarize yourself with manufacturer white papers on specific systems
Consider manufacturer training for digital dentures:
- Most digital denture material manufacturers offer training programs
- Laboratory partners often provide workflow training specific to their protocols
- Software companies offer webinars on design platforms
- Take advantage of free resources before investing in paid education
Peer Mentorship:
- Connect with colleagues already doing digital dentures successfully
- Observe cases in their practices if possible
- Join online discussion groups focused on digital prosthodontics
- Ask questions in professional forums and social media groups
Participate in a partnership with ROE:
- Schedule a meeting with ROE technicians to understand their workflow
- Request a ROE tour to see scanning and fabrication equipment
- Establish clear communication protocols for digital previews
- Discuss preferences for file formats and preview delivery methods
Practice on non-clinical digital denture cases:
- Consider practising on digital preview evaluation on lab-provided examples
- Review completed cases to understand what good designs look like
- Study failed cases to recognize problems before they occur
- Develop visual literacy for evaluating tooth positions in software
Practice a gradual implementation strategy towards digital denture proficiency:
- Start with simplest cases (reference dentures) to build confidence
- Complete 2-3 cases before evaluating your own competence
- Add complexity gradually (new dentures, then immediate dentures)
- Seek feedback from ROE on your case specifications
Dental staff training considerations:
- Ensure dental assistants understand the digital denture workflow differences from conventional denture workflows
- Train on proper impression handling for digital lab submission
- Educate on appointment sequencing for digital workflows
- Develop protocols for digital file management and storage
Maintain a focus on digital denture continuing education opportunities:
- Digital technology evolves rapidly, requiring ongoing education
- Attend annual updates on new materials and techniques
- Stay current with evidence based through literature review
- Participate in manufacturer webinars on new product releases
What is the realistic amount of time should I invest in learning digital dentures?
- Expect 10-20 hours of education before the first case
- Plan for a learning curve of 3-5 cases before feeling proficient
- Budget extra time for the first several cases (longer appointments, more communication)
- Efficiency improves dramatically after the initial learning period
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:
- Phone: (216) 663-2233
- Email: info@roedentallab.com