Dentures have traditionally been handcrafted. Nowadays, this method is becoming less common or is even labelled as extinct. Although I regularly explore new methods and techniques, I hesitate to relinquish the handcrafting approach I’ve relied upon for decades, as the quality of the outcome remains paramount.
Why Traditional, Hand-Crafted Full Dentures Still Set the Benchmark at Bulleen Denture Clinic?
Making new dentures is an investment in comfort, confidence, and long-term oral health. While 3-D scanned, CAD/CAM-milled dentures have created plenty of buzz, I continue to craft traditional full dentures for all my patients—and with good reason. Below, I explain how the time-honoured impression-and-wax process still delivers unmatched seal, fit, and personalisation, and why it remains the gold standard for many Australians weighing up their options.
A Quick Refresher: How Traditional Full Dentures Are Made
Traditional dentures begin with a border-moulded functional impression that records every millimetre of movable gum tissue. The impression is poured in stone, jaw relations are taken, and a wax denture is tried in to fine-tune bite, speech, and appearance before the final acrylic is processed—all by hand. This multi-step workflow may sound old-school, but it’s precisely what lets me capture soft-tissue detail and create a snug peripheral seal.
Digital Dentures
During a try-in visit, traditional dentures are presented in wax so I can adjust individual teeth (such as twisting or tilting lower teeth) and show you the results in a mirror. Digital dentures lack this flexibility.
Proven Materials, Proven Longevity
Traditional heat-cured PMMA acrylic has decades of clinical data behind it. New 3-D-printed resins are encouraging but still being studied for long-term strength and biocompatibility. There is simply not enough data available yet to prove that materials used for printing can match conventional materials in longevity. During the finishing process, hand-crafted dentures allow individual teeth to become chemically bonded. With digital dentures, the entire arch of teeth is glued to the base, making individual tooth replacement or repairs slower and more complicated compared to traditional dentures.
Relines and Repairs Are Straightforward
Gums naturally change shape over time. A conventional denture can be relined either whilst in the chair or by adding a new fitting surface in the lab. As previously mentioned, chipped teeth or cracks are easily repaired. Digital dentures may need to be re-milled or re-printed—this could be quick, but only if digital files are readily available.
Cost-Effective Craftsmanship
Because I perform much of the work myself—rather than outsourcing to high-tech milling centres—traditional dentures remain competitively priced. There are no equipment leasing fees to recoup, and you gain the intangible value of a craftsperson’s eye on every step.
Where Digital Can Help—and Why I Choose Tradition for Now
Digital dentures might be quicker for straightforward cases and better for patients with a strong gag reflex, as they don’t require mouth impressions. Digital denture methods using mouth scanners may capture soft tissue accurately but struggle with complex ridges or personalised tooth setups.
I believe scanners are still unable capturing softness or compression of tissue, especially the area towards the back of the throat, which is vital for a good seal. Until digital workflows match the functional accuracy of skilled border-moulded impressions, I prefer traditional methods for predictable results, especially for full upper and lower dentures where seal and stability are crucial.
Summary
At Bulleen Denture Clinic, your denture is more than just a dental appliance—I view it as an extension of your everyday life, enabling you to look natural and eat comfortably to the best of your ability. Until science provides a superior method, the best results remain in our hands
Disclaimer:
This blog does not make any judgments regarding the methods used, whether modern or traditional. All materials used to create dentures must be TGA approved; therefore, no reference to quality is made, nor are any unethical statements intended.