Removable prosthetics remain one of the most dynamic areas of dental technology, where craftsmanship and innovation meet the daily realities of patient care. For dental technicians, the rapid rise of digital workflows in dentures and overdentures presents both new opportunities and new challenges. CAD/CAM design, intraoral scanning, and additive manufacturing are redefining how cases are planned and produced, while time-tested analog techniques continue to provide the foundational principles and tactile precision that underpin long-term clinical success.
This issue of Inside Dental Technology brings two perspectives to the forefront. Michael D. Scherer, DMD, MS, examines the fundamentals of overdenture substructure design, comparing material options, and showing how both analog and digital fabrication methods can yield strong, esthetic, and durable results. His detailed review of design considerations, material properties, and production workflows highlights the importance of technician expertise in optimizing performance and longevity.
Complementing this, in this issue’s Continuing Education article, Veronika Kreckova, CDT, offers a step-by-step comparison of both analog and digital workflows in removable dentistry. From impressions and bite registrations to try-ins and final processing, she outlines where digital tools can streamline production and where analog methods remain indispensable. Her practical insights underscore a central truth: mastery of traditional protocols enhances, rather than competes with, the successful adoption of digital tools.
For technicians, the takeaway is clear—digital and analog are no longer opposing camps, but can be complementary approaches. A purely digital workflow still depends on the diagnostic understanding, anatomical awareness, and functional principles honed through analog training. Likewise, analog fabrication can be improved with selective use of digital tools to boost accuracy, efficiency, and reproducibility.
In an industry where patients’ function, comfort, and confidence hinge on the details, the best results come from knowing when to apply each method, and how to integrate them seamlessly. Whether designing a resilient overdenture framework or streamlining a complete denture workflow, the most versatile technicians are those who can skillfully navigate both worlds.
This dual fluency will only become more valuable as materials, software, and production technologies continue to evolve. By understanding the strengths and limitations of both approaches, dental laboratories can expand their capabilities, collaborate more effectively with clinicians, and deliver restorations that meet the highest standards—regardless of the workflow chosen.
