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Previously, Remote Area Medical’s (RAM) process for creating dentures could take approximately 2-3 days. Now, patients can visit the Mobile Digital Denture Lab and take home their new dentures in the same day!
RAM provides dentures to patients in need — with 3D technology RAM is able to quickly create these dentures onsite in the Mobile Digital Denture Lab. In most cases, patients can walk out with their custom dentures the same day they meet with the dentist.
The Evolution of Denture Care: From Weeks to Hours
The denture making process — a process that once made patients schedule an appointment, drive to the clinic, see the dentist, make an impression, then have the dentures shipped to their house has been made simpler than ever.
The Mobile Digital Denture Lab simplifies the entire process for patients. From meeting with the dentist to impressions, to digital models, to dentures — ideally in 2-3 hours.
Dr. Brian Swann, RAM Board Member and Volunteer, shared that he remembers when the process for creating a new pair of dentures could take months — he also shared his excitement to see the new Digital Denture Lab’s ability to create dentures so quickly.
“I think that [the Mobile Digital Denture Lab] is going to be here to stay . . .” Dr. Swann said. “The whole idea of getting your denture back in a matter of hours or even the next day is exciting because we, in the old way, depending on how busy you were in your practice, it could take three to six months.”
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Transforming Denture Care with the Mobile Digital Denture Lab
As this technology evolves, RAM is sure to be able to get free, quality dentures to more patients. For many patients, having access to dentures can be life changing. Some patients may not have been able to eat before receiving new or repaired dentures.
“[The functionality of dentures] improves [patients’] self-esteem, Dr. Swann said. “That functionality improves their health, their ability to digest food properly. It makes a difference in a person’s life to be able to have a good smile that is functionable.”
The impact of these dentures is also felt in the wallet. Patients may have fewer costly visits to the dentists thanks to dentures. Rather than making multiple visits for fittings, adjustments, implants, and/or crowns, patients can leave a RAM Clinic with their free dentures the same day.
Not only does the Mobile Digital Denture Lab improve RAM’s ability to serve patients, but Dr. Swann is also optimistic that innovation like the Digital Denture Lab will continue and inspire the future of dentistry.
“We hope that young dentists, and people who aspire to be in this profession, will see these kinds of models and that will be a catalyst for them to move forward.”
Why the Mobile Digital Denture Lab Is a Game-Changer
Another bonus of the digital denture lab? Mobility! The Lab can pull into a parking lot and provide care to patients that day. This allows for RAM to reach more patients than ever before.
RAM has partnered with Haleon and Walmart to bring the Digital Denture Lab to Walmart locations across the country. RAM is meeting patients where they are, providing custom dentures at no cost.
“This type of business and nonprofit collaboration, combining with the patient populations that we are serving that come from all walks of life, every class, every social, economic status, everything is right here,” Dr. Swann said. “And I think that it’s exciting for people to be able to see these types of partnerships. It makes people think that there’s hope.”
Simplifying the Denture Process with Onsite 3D Technology
RAM’s Digital Denture Lab allows RAM to use 3D Printing and CAD/CAM solutions to provide custom dentures to patients in hours. In a four-step process RAM can create custom dentures for patients — cutting down the wait time from days to hours.
Step One: Creating an impression of the patient’s teeth, using an intraoral scanner or a traditional mold. The technician sends this impression to the computer to begin designing the denture.
Step Two: The technician creates the rubber or putty bite and then uses it to print a base plate for the denture.
Step Three: The next step is creating a wash impression of a try-in. Along with creating new sets of dentures for patients, RAM is also able to use this process to copy or repair a patient’s existing dentures.
Step Four: The final step is the complete, 3D printed, glazed denture being given to the patient.
“I think that for everybody to be able to see this, whether you are a, would be patient, a provider, a donor, it’s exciting to know that this kind of work and this kind of technology is coming to people that have their feet on the ground,” said Dr. Swann.
A Look Inside the Mobile Digital Denture Lab
Want a look inside the Digital Denture Lab? Watch this short video for a tour!
Donate to Help RAM Provide Free Dental Care
If you would like to donate to help RAM continue serving patients like Jessika, please visit https://www.ramusa.org/donate/
