Digital design can be simplified in routine clinical practice: A hybrid digital–analogue technique for maxillary overdenture fabrication.

This article describes a hybrid digital–analogue workflow for the fabrication of a maxillary overdenture prosthesis, as opposed to an implant-based overdenture. This procedure provides a predictable and accurate technique in five visits by integrating digital and analogue workflows, guided prosthetic surgery, 3D printers and classical total denture techniques.

The introduction of digital technology into the dental world has enabled 3D programming in surgery, prosthetics and orthodontics.

The combined use of intra-oral scanners (IOS), facial scanners and cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) enables the virtual reconstruction of the patient and the design of surgical guides for implant-supported prostheses by means of various types of computer-aided design (CAM) software. The use of optical impressions makes it possible to decrease patient discomfort, as well as speed up and improve communication with the dental laboratory. However, optical impressions present challenges in reporting the resilience characteristics of the mucosa in edentulous patients. A possible solution to improve the performance of the digital workflow is the integration of the analogue technique. The implant-retained overdenture of the upper jaw allows for a significant improvement in chewing ability, speech, sociability and the psychological well-being of patients compared to mucosa-only restorations, with a lower cost of the overdenture.

The overdenture prosthesis is a viable therapeutic choice for all patients in need of total rehabilitation. The use of a hybrid digital–analogue protocol allows for the advantages of both protocols to be combined with speed, precision, comfort, reliability, reproducibility and efficiency.