The outline below is a step-by-step appointment guide for our implant supported overdenture from an existing workflow. This workflow will enable you to:
- Convert an Immediate Denture into an Implant Supported Overdenture
- Reline and/or make an exact copy of a current Implant Supported Overdenture.
The following workflow applies to patients who fit the following criteria:
- Already have overdenture implants that are osseointegrated
-
Use an existing implant supported overdenture denture or immediate denture
- Will be used to establish their VDO and/or bite.
- Need a new overdenture or are converting their existing immediate to an overdenture through a chairside pickup.
If your patient needs implants placed for an overdenture, please follow our Implant Supported Overdenture Workflow.
Appointment 1
Case Set Up
- Ensure the patient’s healing caps cover implant locations or, where applicable, that the abutments are clean and dry.
- Make any necessary adjustments to the existing denture to ensure fit and correct VDO.
- Remove the denture and apply light body wash (avoid excess material) to the inside of the denture.
- Place the denture in the patient’s mouth and have the patient move lips and move tongue side to side, and gently push down on the denture. Let the denture sit while impression material sets.
- Remove and trim any excess impression material, especially on the occlusal surface.
- In the case of an overdenture:
- Remove and trim any excess material from the nylon caps, reseat, and verify the centric relation.
- If teeth are significantly worn down:
- Use blue mousse (or preferred bite registration material) to fill the bite on the occlusal surface to verify that the VDO is correct.
- Take photos of the patient [highly recommended]:
- A head-on photo with 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).
Required Scans By Case Type
If you are fabricating a single arch denture, you will need to complete the following scans:
- Extraoral 360° scan of existing denture
- Intraoral scan of opposing
-
Register bite via intraoral bite scan
- From molar to midline with blue mousse
If you are fabricating dual arch dentures, you will need to complete the following scans:
- Extraoral 360° scan of both existing dentures
-
Register bite via intraoral bite scan
- From molar to midline with blue mousse
To fabricate an overdenture on the lower arch (mandibular) - 360° Scan lower (extraoral):
- On the order page, select “Denture” for the lower jaw.
- Extraorally 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, and rock 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.
- NOTE: If while scanning, the scanner loses its spot, pause and begin on the closest reference point.
- Inspect the scan & trim any unwanted parts (i.e. gloves, excess layers, etc.). Simply scan again if any area is missing.
To fabricate an upper arch (maxillary) overdenture - 360° Scan upper (extraoral):
- Select “Denture.”
- Extraorally, start scanning from the occlusal on one side, and move along to the other side.
- 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 from the occlusal to the buccal and scan across to the other side.
- Scan the buccal border with the scanner, looking straight down at it, and rock the scanner back and forth to capture a portion of both the exterior and interior of the appliance.
- Before pausing again, move the scanner 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.
- Inspect the scan & trim any unwanted parts (i.e. gloves, excess layers, etc.). Simply scan again if any area is missing.
Register Bite - Scan Bite (Intraoral)
-
Place denture(s) back into the patient’s mouth, and scan the bite in the patient’s mouth from molar to midline.
- Ignore the confirmation sound.
- If blue mousse (or other preferred bit registration material) is needed for worn down denture teeth
- Remove any excess bite registration material.
- Scan the bite with the bite registration material in place.
APPOINTMENT 2
As you prepare for the chairside pick up, please review our chairside pickup best practices article.
Chairside Pickup Set Up
-
Remove implant healing caps and place locator abutments, where applicable.
- Verify abutments are above the tissue
- Apply blockout spacers to abutments
- Seat denture housings with black nylons onto each abutment to confirm the passive fit of the prosthesis over the housing.
- Verify reliefs by test fitting dentures using pip paste and bur to reduce material, if needed.
- Check and adjust the occlusion against the opposing arch.
- Dry and thoroughly clean denture before adding chairside pickup material to ensure material bonds properly.
- Cut vent holes, if necessary.
Chairside Pickup Process
- Place chairside auto-polymerizing material inside denture reliefs.
- Guide the denture into the mouth, being sure to seat the denture all the way down.
- Have the patient close to bite.
- Remove the denture once auto-polymerization is complete.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- If there are voids around the abutments, place additional material carefully so as not to get any inside the abutments.
- Using a carbide bur, clean up any excess material on the intaglio and/or lingual areas.
- Polish the denture, as needed for a smooth finish.
Signature and Aesthetic Overdenture Pick up material recommendations: