Digital duplication of maxillary complete denture: A dental technique

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This technique aims to construct a virtual, well-adapted maxillary denture from an existing, ill-fitting denture in completely edentulous patients. CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS: A functional impression is made using the loose maxillary denture, and a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) of the entire old denture is carried out. The obtained digital imaging and communication in medicine (DICOM) file was segmented using an image computing platform software (3D slicer). The resultant Standard Tessellation Language (STL) file was 3D printed in porcelain white-like resin, then colored and characterized. CONCLUSIONS: The technique introduces a high-quality digital denture replicate with good retention, that can replace the traditional duplication technique. It can also be used as a relining method for old dentures. This proposed digital technique reduces the number of clinical appointments while also providing a digital library for future denture manufacture. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The proposed technique offers a high-quality digital denture replicate that can replace the traditional duplication technique. This digital technique also reduces the number of clinical appointments required for denture duplication.