Ein Hoch auf die digitale Totalprothese!

The article "Hooray for the digital complete denture!" deals with the production of complete dentures and the advantages of digital technology. It emphasizes that the production of a complete denture is considered uneconomical, but is still needed due to the changing age structure in Germany. The article introduces the Baltic Denture System (BDS) by Merz Dental and highlights the benefits of using this digital technology. It also discusses market attractiveness and size, available technologies and materials, as well as the economic viability of digital work in complete denture prosthetics. While the demand for complete dentures will decrease, partial and hybrid prosthetics as well as implant prosthetics will increase. The age groups in Germany are presented for the years 2005, 2022, 2025, and 2030. The article emphasizes that digital solutions should offer a variety of options and have economic advantages. An example of manufacturing a complete denture using a digital workflow is given. It is emphasized that the comparison of production costs of selected systems in this model is not validated. It is stressed that overall production costs are more important than individual costs for materials or labor. Milling denture bases and tooth crowns in combination with adhesive bonding of the parts is economically unattractive and time-consuming. In comparison, milling monochromatic milling blanks in the BDS system is faster and more economically interesting. Printed dentures can also be economical, but they cannot yet be used as final long-term dentures. The use of digital technologies will further change work processes and increase the efficiency and quality of complete denture production. [Extracted from the article]