Conventional Versus 3D Printing Duplication Techniques of Complete Denture

Comparison of Retention Between Different Duplication Techniques of Complete Dentures: Conventional Versus CAD/CAM: A Within Subject Controlled Clinical Trial

Twenty completely edentulous patients with old, removable dentures with ill-fitting maxillary dentures, proper vertical dimension, and proper occlusion will be recruited for this trial. They will be rehabilitated with duplicated complete dentures manufactured by conventional and two different 3D-printed CAD-CAM Complete Removable Dentures techniques.

Outcomes will be evaluated, including denture retention, which will be evaluated using a digital force gauge, and occlusal force distribution by using a t-scan.

The study will be conducted at the outpatient clinic of the Oral and Maxillofacial Prosthodontics Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University. This within-subject controlled clinical trial will involve twenty completely edentulous patients with old, ill-fitting maxillary complete dentures, who will be selected and recruited following approval by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University (FDASU-REC). These patients will be rehabilitated with duplicated complete dentures produced through conventional methods and two distinct 3D-printed CAD/CAM techniques.

Group I: The duplication of a refitted complete removable denture will be performed using the conventional heat-cured technique.

Group II: The refitted complete denture will be duplicated using a 3D-printed CAD/CAM technique, where the denture base will be printed separately with pink resin, and the teeth will be printed as a single unit in tooth-colored resin, followed by assembly of the two components.

Group III: The refitted complete denture will be duplicated using a 3D-printed CAD/CAM technique, with the entire denture printed as a single unit in tooth-colored resin, and the denture flange veneered with pink resin.

Outcomes will be evaluated by measuring denture retention with a digital force gauge and occlusal force distribution using the T-Scan system. The collected data will be recorded, tabulated, and subjected to statistical analysis using appropriate tests for group comparisons.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with old complete dentures without lost vertical dimension.
2. Patients with correct centric occluding relation.
3. The dentures should be esthetically and functionally satisfactory and exhibit reasonable retention and stability

Exclusion Criteria:

1. The presence of ridge or soft tissue pathology.
2. Diminished saliva production.
3. A history of medications affecting saliva quantity or quality.
4. Patients with temporomandibular joint problems.
5. The presence of sever ridge undercut.
6. Debilitated patients