Do You Make 3D Printed Dentures

Replacing a denture can be difficult when you have become used to how the old one feels. In this video, Dr. Regan Ackerman explains where digital scanning and 3D-printed dentures can help with that transition.

So I know a lot of people do research on dentures, and a term used a lot is a 3D-printed denture. And yes, I make those. There are certain scenarios where those are a great option for patients. In those instances, I actually use a scanner, so we don’t kind of have to do the gooey impression material. We’ll scan your teeth to make the 3D-printed denture.

But the big advantage I’ve found with the 3D-printed denture or a digital denture is when patients have already had a denture for 10, 20 years, they are so used to that denture. It is like an old worn pair of shoes to them, because anytime you get a new denture, it’s always going to feel different. It’s really hard to recreate that same denture.

But with the 3D printed dentures, we’re able to scan your existing denture, and when it gets printed, it’s more similar to what you are used to so the transition into the new denture seems to be a lot easier, fewer adjustments to it, and usually a better fit. So I love doing these 3D-printed dentures, especially for patients that have had the same denture for 10, 15, 20-plus years.

I had a patient come in, had a denture, gosh, I want to say like 30 years. Unfortunately, he wasn’t a candidate for the mini implants, and he just needed a new upper regular denture. And so we discussed, "Hey, you’ve had this denture for 30 years, it’s going to feel different." I scanned it, we made a 3D-printed denture, delivered it. He said it felt great, he loved it, he didn’t have to come back for any adjustments.

It was amazing. So there’s definitely a time and a place for the 3D-printed dentures, and I certainly do offer that. And we can do it for what we call overdentures or snap-in dentures as well. Some of my patients have had their mini implant-retained snap-in dentures for 10 years and now need a new denture. So a lot of times we’ll do the 3D-printed denture for them because it’s an easier transition.

So it’s a great service for patients that we offer.

If you’re interested in learning more about 3D-printed dentures, we invite you to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Regan Ackerman at Freedom Dental Implants in Louisville, Kentucky. We look forward to giving you the freedom to smile.