Newest Digital Solutions from MicroDental
ROBERT KREYER, CDT
Workflow efficiency and precision are the core advantages of a prosthetic digital workflow. Streamlined digital acquisition of clinical and technical data eliminates the variables inherent in an analog process and ensures the production of a predictable prosthetic outcome. MicroDental’s two newest digital products, Digital Orthotics and Digital Dentures offer patients precision solutions to complex treatment modalities. Digital Orthotics provides a range of solutions from high strength devices for patients with TMD, severe parafunctional problems, and bruxism to soft and flexible splits that offer comfort and durability. Digital Dentures offers the fully edentulous patient the precision fit of digitally fabricated removable prosthetics combined with the artistry of personalized lifelike esthetics.
Digital Orthotics
The traditional or analog workflow for orthotic devices relies on clinical impressions taken with a relationship record followed by fabrication of a gypsum master cast and mounted on a dental articulator. The master cast for splints is duplicated, then waxed and processed on the duplicate cast with the final device seated on the master cast to check occlusion, followed by finishing and polishing. All are processes where human error and material inconsistencies can impede precision.
Using MicroDental's Digital Orthotics digital workflow, the process is not only simplified, but all the variables inherent in the analog workflow are also eliminated. The dentist provides three scans—one each of the maxillary and mandibular arches (Figures 1 and 2) along with a bite scan—and uploads the scans to the laboratory. The laboratory imports the scans for the device's CAD design then exports the design to a 3D printer for printing the final prosthetic. The digital workflow eliminates all the analog variables so critical to achieving consistency and predictability. It creates a digital record that enables the clinician and technician to replicate another orthotic or prosthetic device from the last archived file instead of starting all over, thus eliminating substantial clinical chair time.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Three device options are available with MicroDental’s Digital Orthotics: static devices with flat plane occlusion (Figure 3); functional occlusal devices with canine guidance (Figure 4); or anterior guidance devices (Figure 5). The digital CAD design software allows adjustments in device thickness, occlusal mapping, and even eliminating interferences in excursive movements on a virtual articulator. The 3D printed finished, and the polished occlusal splint is fabricated using Keysplint Soft, a thermoplastic material that is both comfortable and durable. The final product (Figure 6) is a clear splint with even thicknesses and contours throughout.
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6 - Final Product
Digital Dentures
MicroDental Digital Dentures offer fully edentulous patients the latest in next-generation technology for precision fit removable prosthetics with truly personalized lifelike esthetics. The digitally-designed denture base is 3D printed from Dentsply Sirona’s premium high-impact Lucitone Digital Print 3D denture resin and combined with IPN 3D Digital denture teeth using Carbon3D’s breakthrough 3D printing technology. Lucitone Digital Print denture resin features next-generation 4D smart polymer technology that permits the finished denture to immediately respond to body temperature while being worn to amplify its fracture-resistant properties. This material actually becomes stronger at 36 degrees Celsius, surpassing the strength of conventional high impact acrylic resins, in the oral environment.
The improved fit, functional occlusion, and stabilization of digitally designed dentures are well documented in the literature. Virtual analysis of the ridge relationships and occlusal vector forces improves stability and function for supporting edentulous arches. The lip support position (Figure 7) shown in brown shades in the anterior and posterior areas indicates the stopping point on an inclined plane of 22.5 degrees. The ability to virtually analyze tooth-to-ridge relationships from a facial, buccal and lingual perspective, which is impossible in an analog denture design process, is the key contributor to creating a better denture for your edentulous patients.
Figure 7
The state-of-the-art 3D printed MicroDental Digital Dentures (Figure 8) offer patients a highly esthetic and functional set of maxillary and mandibular complete removable prosthetics. Equally critical is the digital record that now enables the clinician and technician to exactly replicate another orthotic or prosthetic device from the last archived file instead of starting all over, thus eliminating substantial clinical chair time.
Figure 8
For more information on MicroDental’s Digital Denture Solution please watch the webinar on our YouTube channel where Dr. Stephen Wagner and Robert Kreyer discuss and provide Clinical and Technical on how you can provide this type of digital denture solution to your edentulous patients.