Overview: This article provides a step-by-step clinical guide for converting an immediate denture or copying an existing implant-supported overdenture using a chairside workflow.
Prerequisites
Before beginning this workflow, ensure the patient meets these criteria:
Overdenture implants are fully osseointegrated.
The patient has an existing implant-supported overdenture or immediate denture.
The existing denture will be used to establish the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) and the bite.
The patient requires a new overdenture or a conversion of an immediate denture via chairside pickup.
If your patient needs implants placed for an overdenture, please follow our Implant-Supported Overdenture Workflow.
Appointment 1 procedures
Case setup and impression
Ensure healing caps cover implant locations or that abutments are clean and dry.
Adjust the existing denture to ensure fit and correct VDO.
Remove the denture and apply light body wash to the inside of the denture, avoiding excess material.
Seat the denture in the patient’s mouth; instruct the patient to move their lips and tongue side to side while gently pushing down.
Remove the denture once the impression material sets and trim any excess material from the occlusal surface.
For existing overdentures, trim excess material from the nylon caps, reseat the appliance, and verify the centric relation.
If denture teeth are significantly worn, use blue mousse or a preferred bite registration material on the occlusal surface to verify correct VDO.
Required clinical photography
Capture the following images to assist the lab:
One head-on photo of the patient smiling naturally while wearing dentures.
Two profile pictures (one from each side) of the patient smiling naturally while wearing dentures.
One head-on photo of the patient with cheek retractors in place while wearing dentures (if possible).
Scan requirements by case type
Single arch overdenture scans
Complete the following scans for single arch fabrication:
Extraoral scan: Perform a 360° scan of the existing denture.
Intraoral scan: Capture the opposing arch.
Bite scan: Register the bite intraorally from the molar to the midline using blue mousse.
Dual arch overdenture scans
Complete the following scans for dual arch fabrication:
Extraoral scans: Perform a 360° scan of both existing dentures.
Bite scan: Register the bite intraorally from the molar to the midline using blue mousse.
Extraoral scanning instructions
Lower arch (Mandibular) scanning
Select Denture for the lower jaw on the order page.
Start scanning extraorally from the retromolar area and proceed along the buccal to the opposite side.
Roll the scanner slightly over the incisal edges of the anterior teeth.
Scan across the lingual surface to the other side.
Capture the buccal border by looking straight down with the scanner, rocking it to capture both the exterior and interior of the appliance.
Scan a small portion of the intaglio surface to serve as a reference point.
Resume scanning at the reference point and capture the entire interior intaglio surface.
Upper arch (Maxillary) scanning
Select Denture for the upper jaw on the order page.
Start scanning extraorally from the occlusal surface on one side and move to the other side.
Roll the scanner over the incisal edges of the anterior teeth and scan the lingual surface.
Capture the entire palate in a side-to-side motion starting at the midline.
Move from the occlusal to the buccal at the last molar and scan across the arch.
Scan the buccal border and intaglio surface to establish a reference point.
Resume at the reference point to scan the entire intaglio surface, moving side-to-side along the ridges.
Appointment 2 chairside pickup
Pickup preparation
Remove implant healing caps and place locator abutments.
Verify that abutments are positioned above the tissue and apply blockout spacers.
Seat denture housings with black nylons onto each abutment to confirm the passive fit of the prosthesis.
Verify reliefs using PIP paste; use a bur to reduce material if the fit is not passive.
Check and adjust the occlusion against the opposing arch.
Clean and dry the denture thoroughly to ensure the chairside pickup material bonds correctly.
Pickup process
Apply chairside auto-polymerizing material inside the denture reliefs.
Guide the denture into the mouth and ensure the denture is seated completely.
Have the patient close into their natural bite and wait for auto-polymerization to complete.
Remove the denture and inspect for voids; add material carefully around abutment areas if needed.
Clean excess material using a carbide bur and polish the denture for a smooth finish.