Digital complete dentures: Innovative potential for patient-centered concepts of occlusion – a case study

A digital workflow was used to fabricate complete dentures with different concepts of occlusion for a 65-year-old female patient using the Zirkonzahn digital denture system (Zirkonzahn, Gais, Italy). By using CAD/CAM technology and the related potentials for adjusting occlusal parameters, it was possible to develop dentures with a custom-adapted concept of occlusion based on the individual patient parameters in a time- and cost-efficient manner. After several weeks of trial wear, the patient preferred the complete dentures with sequential guidance in laterotrusion (with canine/premolar dominance) and 15-degree cusp angles due to better wearing comfort and masticatory performance. In summary, the digital workflow presented in the present article integrated important aspects of the patient’s dental history and enabled the creation of an occlusal concept individually adapted to her masticatory system. Keywords: digital complete dentures, computer-aided design and manufacturing, CAD/CAM, bilateral balanced occlusion, sequential group function occlusion, mastication, patient comfort