Jawbone loss, soreness, and mouth irritation are the common dark sides of traditional dentures. The patient often complained about oral infection. They face challenges in chewing and speaking with traditional dentures.
The 3D-printed dentures with the latest technology cope with all the problems and provide patient comfort. Using digital technology, dentists design models that fit precisely. So it eliminates the need for frequent adjustment.
In this article, you will gain insights into how custom-fit 3D dentures work, their types, and their average cost. Additional tips are provided for you that answer your common concerns about 3D-printed dental prosthetics.
What Are 3D Printed Dentures and How Do They Work?
3d printed dentures are artificial teeth or other dental appliances that are used to replace missing or damaged teeth. Dentists use 3D Printer to create dental prosthetics. The process is simple, as dentists take a digital scan of the patient’s mouth.
Later, scans are used to make a digital model of the mouth. The 3D printer uses digital models and materials to build digital dentures. The model is made thin layer by layer to ensure it fits perfectly in the patient’s mouth. In this process, the products are free from any errors and enable dentists to increase productivity.
What are the Types of 3D-Printed Dentures?
There are different types of custom 3D-printed dentures that are designed to meet the needs of various There are different types of custom 3D-printed dentures that are designed to meet the needs of various dental conditions. Let’s explore each type in detail about where they are used.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are types of dentures that are provided to patients who have lost all their natural teeth. These types of dentures are designed to fit comfortably and easily over the gum. In most cases, the patient has healthy gum with full teeth loss. So, dentists use these 3D dentures to restore patients’ chewing or speaking abilities.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are the type of digital dentures that are used to replace the missing teeth of the patient. In this case, the patient lost some teeth, but not all. Doctors adjust the dentures in the lost teeth position to fill the gap. It prevents the remaining teeth from collapsing or moving. So, the partial denture provides support to the mouth.
Immediate Dentures
This type of denture is placed in the patient’s mouth after the removal of dead teeth. It is actually a temporary measure during gum healing and shaping after teeth removal. So, intermediate teeth are perfect for a patient who doesn’t want to live without teeth during recovery time. It allows the gum to maintain shape and function.
Implant-Supported Dentures
As the name suggests, this type of 3D-printed denture is placed in a patient’s mouth who has dental implants. Dentists attach the implant-supported denture to the jawbone of the patient. This type of denture is best for those who have enough jaw bone density. It provides teeth stability and a permanent solution to tooth loss.
Overdentures
Well, this type of denture is placed in the patient’s mouth, which has some healthy teeth. The basic purpose of dentures is to provide support and stability. It also protects the remaining teeth from loss and prevents the reduced pressure of the gum. Overdentures maintain the shape of the patient’s mouth and facilitate the improvement of the chewing and speaking ability.
The Top 5 Benefits of 3D Printed Dentures
Custom-fit 3D dentures have many practical benefits as compared to traditional dentures. Here are the top 5 perks of this dental model for patients and dentists.
- Improved Teeth or Gum Health: One of the greatest advantages of 3D-printed dentures is to improve the patient’s teeth or gum health. It provides support to the remaining teeth and prevents them from collapsing. Furthermore, it also eliminates the chance of reducing gum density.
- Enhanced Appearance: Custom 3D printed dentures provide the natural and aesthetic appearance of the patient. It maintains the shape of teeth and the size of the patient’s mouth.
- Faster Production Time: Traditional dentures take a few months or weeks to create a new set of teeth. Custom-fit 3D dentures eliminate these challenges and increase the productivity of dentists. With the latest technology, dentists create the model layer by layer in a few hours and save patients time.
- Custom Fit and Comfort: One of the biggest perks of 3D-printed dentures is custom fitting and comfort. All the models fit precisely in the patient’s mouth. So, the patient does not face any discomfort for adjustment. It also saves the money and time of patients for a frequent revisit for denture adjustments.
- Durability and Longevity: 3D printing uses high-quality 3D-printed denture material to make dental products like dentures, crowns, and braces. The dentures are durable and last for a long time. These dentures are designed enough to handle frequent wear and tear.
How to Choose the Right 3D-Printed Dentures for You?
It’s important to keep a few requirements or factors in mind before choosing 3D-printed dentures. So, it helps you to make a valid decision.
Assess Your Oral Health Needs
It’s necessary for the patient to visit the doctor for a proper inspection or checkup of the mouth. Dentists evaluate and provide you with valid information about which 3D-printed dentures are best for you. In the case of full teeth loss, the full dentures process is best for you to maintain your mouth shape.
Functional Requirements
Before selecting the type of denture you place, it’s important to evaluate your needs. You want to improve your speaking or chewing ability or enhance your smile appearance. This helps you to choose the best digital denture type by communicating with the dentist.
Shade Matching
Talk to your dentist about the best shade of color for new dentures to match your existing teeth. So, it helps you to maintain your teeth’s natural look. Furthermore, new dentures that match existing teeth enhance or improve your smile.
Tooth Shape and Size
The size and shape of your dentures play a big role in proper mouth functioning. It is important to scan your mouth precisely via digital scanning. It helps dentists to make precise models that custom fit in the patient’s mouth.
Patient’s Lifestyle and Habits
Before making a final decision, the dentist should notice the patient’s lifestyle and habits if she or he is involved in smoking or using hard-chewing food in their diet. Considering the patient’s lifestyle and habits helps the dentist decide which denture type is best for him.
The Cost of 3D Printed Dentures: Is It Worth the Investment?
The 3d printed dentures cost depends on multiple factors. Well, the average price is between $300 and $500 per denture. However, the 3D-printed denture material, dentist experience, and printer type influence the exact cost of 3D-printed dentures.
Some dentists use high-quality materials like resin that increase the price of dentures. Furthermore, some dental labs use expensive 3D printers to make dentures. It further accelerates the final cost.
Aidite DLP 3D Printers are a cost-effective solution for dentists who increase productivity. This printer is equipped with the latest technology that makes dentures layer by layer. So, it made custom dental models that reduce the adjustment hassle.
However, the dentist’s experience also counts in price as well. Experienced dentists charge more than beginners. The reason behind this is due to testimonials and reputations. Clinic location and aftercare also impact the 3D printed dentures cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do 3D-printed dentures last?
The 3D-printed dentures last for 10 to 15 years. You can further increase the lifespan by proper maintenance and care. Brush your teeth regularly, twice a day, and floss once a week. Furthermore, avoid using teeth to break tough items like peanuts or nuts.
What are the disadvantages of 3D-printed dentures?
3D-printed dentures have a lot of advantages for patients and dentists. However, fracturing, staining, and color stability are a few of the sides of 3D-printed dentures. However, proper maintenance of teeth prevents tooth cracking issues.
Can you eat with digital dentures?
Yes, you can eat your favorite dish or fruit after the completion of the digital denture procedure. You can eat apples, plums, peaches, strawberries, and dried fruits. It enables the patient to improve their chewing and speaking ability. It also enhances the smile appearance of the patient.
Conclusion
To sum up, 3D-printed dentures enable patients to fill the teeth gap and maintain the mouth shape. There are 5 different 3D-printed dentures, and each is used according to the patient’s specific condition. Which one is best for you? It depends on the patient’s mouth or gum condition.
In the case of full teeth loss, full dentures are the best solution for you. It’s important to evaluate your mouth condition before taking any denture treatment. Consult the dentist about which treatment is best for you and its final price. Some denture types are costly due to 3D printed denture base resin and high-quality 3D printer use.
After you fix the denture, make sure to care for it properly and brush your teeth regularly. You can maintain and improve your oral health in the long run. Furthermore, you can save yourself from frequent visits to the dentist.