Sun Mountain Dentures utilizes a hybrid process of techniques in it’s denture fabrication, merging the best elements from the newest technology while incorporating tried and true methods. 

 

In most cases, we start with a traditional impression of the jaws, using molding impression materials. This allows us to capture movements in the soft tissue at the junction of the gums, cheeks and lips. This also allows for an accurate representation of the upper and lower jaw bite relations.

 

We then take these molds and place them in a high tech scanner, where they are digitized with remarkable precision. The precision of the scan is superior to stone or plaster molding because there is no shrinkage or expansion of the new casting, which is a common problem with traditional methods. 

 

The digitized records are then loaded into state of the art software and the design process begins. 

 

We do our own denture design in house, which gives our techs and doctors oversight into ever design detail. This is in contrast to most traditional approaches, where the original molds or casts are sent to off-site labs for design where the technician making the denture has actually never seen the patient. 

 

Once our team is satisfied with the design, the denture is printed with 3D printers using FDA approved print resins for intro-oral use. 

 

Due to the extremely complex and precise requirements for a good fitting and functional denture, the first try-in is not expected to be perfect. Typically the first denture is used as a template for modifications to be made for the final product. Here again, we contrast to traditional approaches where a “try-in” denture is made of wax or other non-finished materials. While convenient to work with, this means that the finished product will be made of entirely different materials, introducing more change at the final delivery.  

 

Another significant advantage to our digital process is the fact that our “try-in” denture is made of the exact same materials as the final product. This means that the patient will see and feel how the final denture will be at the try-in. We can then make any alterations needed to our source files and reprint a final product. And since we don’t have to send back to a lab for final fabrication, we can quickly produce a final product. 

 

Final dentures are printed, then hand polished for smoothness and comfort.