Chairside Complete Denture from Existing Workflow

The following workflow applies to patients using an existing denture to establish their VDO and/or bite. 

Clinical Scenarios 

1. Fabricating a new denture using a current full or partial denture as a reference.
2. Relining and/or making an exact copy of a current denture. 

The outline below is a step-by-step appointment guide for our complete denture from an existing (reference/copy) workflow. Please be sure to review our scanning guides before proceeding:

• Complete Denture Scanning Best Practices
• Recommended Scan Paths for Complete Dentures
• Preparing a Denture for Scanning
• Extraoral 360° Scan Technique

Extraoral Scan Prep 

1. Assessment:

   • If the existing denture shows intaglio fit issues:
     • Remove the denture and apply a light body wash to the intaglio surface. Caution: Use only a minimal amount to avoid excess material.
   • If there are no fit issues:
     • Skip the light body wash step. Proceed to scan the denture as if duplicating the item.
       Note: Extra material on the intaglio can adversely affect occlusion.

2. Impression Capture Procedure:

   • Remove the denture and apply the light body wash (if indicated).
   • Place the denture back in the patient’s mouth.
   • Instruct the patient to move their lips and tongue side-to-side while gently applying downward pressure on the denture.
   • Allow the denture to sit until the impression material sets.

3. Post-Impression Processing:

   • Remove the denture and trim any excess impression material, particularly from the occlusal surface.
   • Adjust the denture as needed to ensure proper fit and to correct the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO).

4. Bite Registration (if applicable):

   • If the patient’s teeth are significantly worn down, apply blue mousse (or your preferred bite registration material) to the occlusal surface.
   • Confirm that the VDO is correct with this bite registration.

Follow these guidelines carefully to ensure optimal fit and occlusion in denture processing.

Photographs Needed

• Take photos of the patient [highly recommended]: 
  • A head-on photo of the patient smiling naturally (wearing dentures).
  • 2 profile pictures (1 from each side) with the patient smiling naturally (wearing dentures).
  • [If possible] A head-on photo of the patient with cheek retractors in place (wearing dentures). 

Scans Required

If you are fabricating a single-arch denture, you will need the following scans:

• 360° extraoral scan of existing (reference) denture
• Intraoral scan of opposing
• Register bite via intraoral bite scan (from molar to midline) with blue mousse (or preferred bite registration material)

If you are fabricating dual arch dentures, you will need the following scans:

• 360° extraoral scan of existing (reference) denture
• Register bite via intraoral bite scan (from molar to midline) with blue mousse (or preferred bite registration material)

Extraoral Scanning Steps 

Fabricating Lower Arch Denture: 360° Scan Lower (Extraoral) 

• On the scan page, select “Denture” for the lower jaw.
• Start scanning from the retromolar area and proceed along the buccal to the other side
  • Be sure to roll slightly over the incisal edges of the anterior teeth.
• Move over to the lingual, and scan across to the other side.
  • Pause and let the software process.
• Begin on the buccal and scan full across to the other side of the arch.
• Scan the buccal border with the scanner looking straight down at it, rocking the scanner back and forth to capture a portion of both the exterior and interior of the appliance.
• At the end, scan slightly over to the intaglio surface of the denture. This will be your “reference point.”
  • Pause the scanner and let it process scanning data.
• Commence on that same “reference” point and begin scanning the lingual, capturing the entire interior.
• If, while scanning, the scanner loses its spot, pause and begin on the closest reference point.
• Inspect the scan and trim any unwanted parts (e.g., gloves, excess layers, etc.). If any area is missing, simply scan again. 

Fabricating Upper Arch Denture: 360° Scan Upper (Extraoral) 

• Select “Denture.”
• Start from the occlusal on one side and move along to the other side. Again, slightly roll over the incisal edges of the anterior teeth. 
• Move over to the lingual and scan all the way across.
  • Pause and let the scanner process scanning data.
• Starting at the midline, capture the entire palate in a side-to-side motion.
• Then, in one motion at the last molar, move over the occlusal to the buccal and scan across to the other side.
• Very intentionally scan the buccal border with the scanner looking straight down at it.
  • Rock the scanner back and forth to capture a portion of both the exterior and interior of the appliance.
• Before pausing one more time, move the scanner over to the intaglio surface to capture a “reference point.” 
  • Pause and let the scanner process scanning data.
• Resume at the reference point and scan the intaglio side by side and then along the ridges.
• Similar to before, trim any excess material and re-scan any missing areas. 

Bite Scan 

• Place the denture(s) back into the patient’s mouth and scan the bite from molar to midline (ignore the confirmation sound).
  • If blue mousse (or preferred bite registration material) is needed for worn-down denture teeth, scan the bite with the blue mousse (or preferred bite registration material) in place.