3D Printed dental models

Intraoral Scanning – Capturing the Digital Impression

The journey begins with an intraoral scan of the patient’s mouth. Traditionally, dentists used a putty-like material to take physical impressions, which could be uncomfortable and imprecise for patients. Now, thanks to advancements in technology, intraoral scanning offers a more comfortable and precise alternative. Using a small handheld device, dentist can create a highly accurate digital 3D model of the patient’s teeth and gums in real-time.

This scanner leverages advanced light or laser technology to meticulously map out the exact contours of the patient’s mouth. The result is a high-resolution 3D digital impression, capturing every detail needed for further denture design. Once the scan is complete, the digital data is transferred to specialised dental software.

Refining the Digital Model

Once the digital scan is captured, the next step involves processing the data to ensure the accuracy of the final model. In this phase, any potential distortions or imperfections in the scan are corrected before moving forward. The dental software will:

• Align and stitch together multiple scan sections, producing a seamless and comprehensive model of the mouth.
• Analyse the geometry, identifying critical anatomical landmarks that are crucial for accurate denture design.

This step ensures that the digital impression precisely reflects the patient's unique oral anatomy.

Designing the Denture

With the refined digital model of the patient's mouth in place, we move on to the design phase using advanced Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. Here at Edent, we take the time to custom-tailor every denture to the patient's specific anatomy, ensuring a perfect fit and natural appearance.

The beauty of this process lies in its precision and flexibility. Both the dentist and the patient can review the design at this stage, making any necessary adjustments to key elements like tooth shape, size, and colour. This ensures that the final denture looks not only natural but also feels comfortable and functions properly. Since the entire design is stored digitally, future adjustments or replacements are incredibly streamlined, requiring minimal effort.

Combining 3D Printing with Handcrafted Precision

At Edent, we take the design process a step further by blending state-of-the-art digital technology with traditional craftsmanship. Once the final digital design is approved, we 3D print a highly accurate model of the patient’s mouth. This physical model serves as the foundation for our expert dental technicians to handcraft the final denture.

While the digital tools ensure precision in fit and function, our skilled technicians meticulously shape, polish, and refine the dentures by hand, ensuring a level of quality and personalization that goes beyond what automated systems can achieve. The result is a custom-designed denture that not only fits perfectly but also exhibits the artistry and detail of human craftsmanship.

A Perfect Fit

After the handcrafting process, the final denture is ready for fitting. Thanks to the combination of digital scanning, CAD software, 3D printing, and hand-finishing, the patient walks away with a custom-designed denture that not only looks natural but feels incredibly comfortable. Whether it’s a first-time denture or a replacement, our process ensures that each patient receives a denture that fits seamlessly into their lifestyle, offering both aesthetic appeal and functionality.