A patient arrives with a well-worn but functional set of dentures they’ve relied on for years. The fit feels familiar, yet wear and damage have taken their toll. Do you replicate what already works, or design a new solution to better suit evolving oral anatomy?
This is the crossroads where the decision between copy dentures and reference dentures lies—a moment where precision, practicality, and patient needs converge. Both approaches bring distinct strengths to the table, allowing you to address a variety of clinical scenarios with confidence.
Copy Dentures: Preserving Proven Designs
Copy dentures replicate an existing prosthesis, making them ideal for cases where the original dentures have performed consistently in terms of retention, stability, and occlusion. Utilizing the patient’s current dentures as a template, you can expedite fabrication while maintaining functional and aesthetic parameters that your patient is accustomed to.
This approach works best when there are minimal anatomical changes, such as alveolar ridge resorption or occlusal shifts. The process involves duplicating the current appliance using molds or impressions, often requiring fewer adjustments post-delivery. However, if the original prosthesis no longer meets functional needs due to oral changes, copy dentures may not be the best choice.
Reference Dentures: A Custom-fit Approach
Reference dentures provide a fresh start, built entirely on updated impressions and functional records. They are especially suitable for patients presenting with advanced tissue remodeling, occlusal changes, or dissatisfaction with the performance of their current dentures.
This process begins with comprehensive clinical data collection, including master impressions, jaw relation records, and functional try-ins. Reference dentures allow you to refine every aspect of the design, from the occlusal scheme to the esthetics, ensuring the prosthesis is tailored to the patient’s current intraoral conditions.
While the fabrication process may require additional chair time and collaboration with the dental lab, the result translates to a longer-lasting and more adaptive solution, particularly for patients with complex needs.
When to Opt for Copy Dentures
Consider copy dentures when:
- The current prosthesis exhibits acceptable retention, stability, and occlusion.
- Only minor wear or damage necessitates replacement.
- Time constraints require a quicker turnaround.
This approach minimizes disruption to your workflow and provides consistent results, especially for patients satisfied with their existing denture performance.
When Reference Dentures Are More Suitable
Reference dentures are the better choice when:
- Anatomical changes, such as ridge resorption or altered bite relationships, are evident.
- The patient reports discomfort, instability, or dissatisfaction with their current appliance.
- Advanced customization is required for functional or aesthetic reasons.
These cases benefit from a more comprehensive approach to fabrication, ensuring the final product aligns with updated intraoral conditions.
Collaboration with Your Dental Lab
Clear communication with your dental lab is critical to the success of both approaches. For copy dentures, provide precise impressions or models of the existing prosthesis along with instructions for any necessary modifications, such as adjusting vertical dimensions or repairing cracks.
For reference dentures, detailed documentation of master impressions, centric relation records, and esthetic preferences ensure the lab can deliver a prosthesis that meets your exact specifications. Incorporating advanced lab technologies, such as CAD/CAM, further enhances precision and efficiency.
High-Quality Crowns, Bridges, and Dentures—$50 Credit for Your First Case
At Next Dental Lab, we specialize in providing premium dental restorations with the price and quality your practice deserves. Whether you’re crafting crowns, bridges, dentures, or hybrid solutions, we deliver precision and consistency using advanced technology and top-tier materials.
Register your practice today and receive a $50 credit toward your first case. Partner with us to streamline workflows, access a full range of dental products, and achieve superior results for every case. Let us support your practice with exceptional services and dedicated expertise.
