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📘 Digital Denture Workflow

Overview

Digital dentures provide a faster, more predictable, and more comfortable experience for both clinicians and patients. This guide outlines the complete workflow for submitting digital denture cases to CAE Dental, including required scans, photos, and best practices for accurate results.

🦷 Types of Digital Denture Cases We Support

  • Complete dentures (upper, lower, or both)
  • Immediate dentures
  • Try‑in dentures
  • Wax rim designs
  • Duplicate dentures
  • Full‑arch prosthetics

📂 Required Files for Digital Denture Cases

1. Upper and Lower Scans

Provide:

  • Full arch scans
  • Properly captured vestibules
  • Clean, trimmed data

2. Bite Registration

A stable bite is essential for accurate vertical dimension and occlusion.

Accepted options:

  • Digital bite scan
  • Physical bite registration scanned as STL
  • Existing denture bite (if duplicating)

3. Photos (Highly Recommended)

  • Full‑face smile
  • Retracted frontal view
  • Occlusal views
  • Shade tab photo (if applicable)

4. Optional Files

  • Existing denture scans
  • Wax rim scans
  • Patient preference notes
  • Midline markings

🧭 Step‑by‑Step Digital Denture Workflow

Step 1: Capture Accurate Scans

Ensure:

  • Borders are fully captured
  • Palate and vestibules are complete
  • No holes or missing anatomy
  • Tissue surfaces are clean and smooth

Tip:

Use PLY format if your scanner supports color — it helps with tissue visualization.

Step 2: Record a Stable Bite

A reliable bite ensures proper occlusion.

Best practices:

  • Have the patient close in centric relation
  • Verify midline alignment
  • Capture bilateral posterior contact
  • Avoid open bites or uneven pressure

Step 3: Provide Patient Information

Include in case notes:

  • Desired tooth shape (square, ovoid, tapered)
  • Shade preference
  • Midline and smile line notes
  • Lip support requirements
  • Any esthetic concerns

Step 4: Upload Files to CAE Dental

Upload:

  • Upper scan
  • Lower scan
  • Bite scan
  • Photos
  • Any additional documentation

Use clear file names such as:

  • Upper.stl
  • Lower.stl
  • Bite.stl
  • SmilePhoto.jpg

Step 5: Review the Try‑In (If Applicable)

For try‑in dentures or prototypes:

  • Check midline
  • Evaluate occlusion
  • Confirm vertical dimension
  • Assess esthetics and phonetics

Provide feedback directly in the order page.

Step 6: Approve for Final Denture

Once the try‑in is approved:

  • We finalize the design
  • You receive printable or millable files
  • Proceed with fabrication

⚠️ Common Issues to Avoid

  • Missing vestibular areas
  • Incomplete palate scans
  • Unstable bite registration
  • No smile photos for esthetic cases
  • Incorrect midline markings

These issues can delay the case or require a rescan.

🚀 Tips for Best Results

  • Capture full borders and tissue detail
  • Always include a stable bite
  • Provide smile photos for esthetic guidance
  • Use try‑ins for complex or cosmetic cases
  • Communicate patient preferences clearly

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