Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Baltic Denture System
General
Where can I purchase the CAD software BDCreator® PLUS?
The software is distributed by Merz Dental GmbH. If you are interested, please contact our sales department.
Tel. +49 (0) 4381 403-0
Fax +49 (0) 4381 403-100
How can I test the software?
The test version is available for download on the Merz-Dental.de homepage at https://www.merz-dental.de/en/digital-solutions/digital-denture/bdcreatorr-plus-demo-version, with which it is possible to fully test the BDCreator®PLUS with its functions. Corresponding data sets for different indications are also stored there and are made available free of charge. The download also includes the BDManager 360. This program is linked to the BDCreator®PLUS. A new case should always be started in BDManager 360 by entering case-specific data such as patient name, tooth shade, type of workflow (full denture, bite registration, etc.). The BDManager 360 thus serves as a digital patient card.
With the test version, however, it is not possible to export the construction data. This is only possible with a purchased full version.
Is there any training with the purchase?
Merz Dental regularly offers webinars on the Baltic Denture System. There is also a database with training videos in which individual subjects are explained in detail. If you have specific questions, you are welcome to contact Merz Dental directly.
Do I need a dongle to unlock and continue using the software?
No, this is not required. After purchasing the BDCreator®PLUS license, you receive the corresponding license key (basic version and add-ons) which are activated once within the software. No dongle is required to operate the BDCreator®PLUS after activation.
Can any dental laboratory use the Baltic Denture System?
Yes, basically every laboratory can use this system if the right equipment is available in the form of scanners and milling machines with the appropriate holder to secure the BDLoad® . In order test the system before investing in an upgrade of the CAM software and the milling machine (holder), it is possible to send the construction data to the milling service provider DDS (Digital Dental Services) for milling the corresponding construction from the BDLoad® . The dispatch of the milled denture(s) as well as the calculation of the milling service and other services takes place via DDS. The BDLoad® is calculated by Merz Dental GmbH.
How much does the milled denture cost?
We cannot provide any information on this. This depends on the calculated offer of your dental laboratory.
How quickly can BDLoad® be delivered to the laboratory?
The most common tooth shades and sizes of the BDLoad® are in stock at Merz Dental and can be delivered to customers at short notice. Some non-standard tooth shades may require a longer delivery time. Please contact Merz Dental's sales department for details at:
Tel. +49 (0) 4381 403-0
Fax +49 (0) 4381 403-100
Can every jaw relation be treated with the Baltic Denture System?
With the current version of theBDCreator®PLUS (as of October 2020), Angle classes II and III can also be treated.
Depending on the individual patient case, other bite positions can be achieved using the BDLoad® XP, since anterior teeth are not present here and teeth can be set up individually for the respective jaw relation.
The BDLoad® are available in three different sizes ► S, M and L. Each size is available in the different jaw widths narrow, medium and wide (n, m, w). Only size S has a medium and wide version. With size L of the BDLoad®, however, the setup is with only one molar of 6-6.
This size classification covers as many jaw sizes and jaw formations as possible.
There are two options for treating other bite positions, such as distal or mesial bites:
Option 1: Using the BDLoad® XP due to the possibility of individual anterior tooth setup. ► conditonally possible
Option 2: Using the workflow of fabricating unimaxillary (single) dentures. In this workflow, the jaw situations are created and constructed independently of one another. With that the occlusal adaptation of the teeth rows now also allows the production of dentures in Angle classes II and III.
3D-Scan
Which scanner can be used?
In principle, all optical scanners that can record complete models or impressions can be used. The CAD software used for the Baltic Denture System, the BDCreator®PLUS, requires the scan data in .stl format.
You can find compatible scanners and milling machines for the Baltic Denture System under Digital Denture ► Hardware / Software
Do intraoral scanners also work?
Depending on the selected workflow, an intraoral scanner can be used, e.g. to record the situation of a relined "old denture". However, since an IOS cannot record moving mucosa, the same work step should be carried out with regard to the edge of the valve.
CAD-Software (BDCreator® PLUS)
Which CAD software can be used?
Our own open CAD software (BDCreator®PLUS) was developed for the Baltic Denture System. This enables the patient data obtained from the dentist to be integrated and automatically aligns the predefined rows of teeth. The correct positioning of the row(s) of teeth is supported by a full model analysis. In the case of a unimaxillary (sincgel arch) restoration, the occlusion can also be adjusted digitally with the support of a virtual articulator. These adjustments to the predefined tooth row(s) are then transferred to the CAM and the occlusal collisions are taken into account accordingly in the milling strategy. Working without models and articulator is therefore possible.
What opportunities are there to get started with the Baltic Denture System?
The Baltic Denture System is an open system in which the user has the following options to get started with his previous workflow:
- Start via the scan of worn and relined "old" dentures
- Start via an articulated model situation
- Start by scanning the BDKEY® Set
- Start via the scan of relined bite registrations
What file formats does the BDCreator® PLUS software work with?
The software currently only allows import and export of data in .stl format.
Is it possible to do a try-in with the Baltic Denture System?
Yes, by using the BDLoad® TS (TS = Tooth Shade) it is possible to do a try-in. This variant is a monochrome single-material denture in which the part of the base (gingiva) is also tooth-shaded, which is only intended for use during the try-in. Alternatively, it is also possible to 3D print the construction generated from the BDCreator®PLUS as a monoblock denture to use as a try-in.
What can be designed with the BDCreator® PLUS?
The CAD software BDCreator®PLUS was developed exclusively for full dentures with the following indications:
- Full dentures
- Unimaxillary (single arch) full dentures and overdenture dentures via attachment
- Full immediate and interim dentures
- Individual trays
- Individual bite registrations – without taking a preliminary bite registration
- Pin-point registrations – without taking a preliminary bite registration
The CAD software also includes the following tools:
- Fully adjustable virtual articulator
- Occlusal correction in unimaxillary (single arch) full dentures, taking static and dynamic contacts into account
- Mesh analysis and mesh correction ► Detect and close holes in the data
- Hollow out freely definable areas and digitally erase the palatal vibrating line
Can you also design unimaxillary (single arch) full dentures with the BDCreator® PLUS?
Yes, the occlusal adjustments are taken into account with the help of a virtual articulator in both CAD and CAM and in the milling process.
Can you also design partial dentures with the BDCreator® PLUS?
No, the BDCreator®PLUS was developed exclusively to design full dentures.
Can you also design crowns with the BDCreator® PLUS?
No, the BDCreator®PLUS was developed exclusively to design full dentures.
Can I also design implant-supported full dentures with the BDCreator® PLUS?
The area of application for implant-supported full dentures is not approved for the Baltic Denture System.
Implant-supported dentures can be created – i.e. dentures on Locator® abutments or ball head abutments. In any case, it must be checked individually whether the position and space are sufficient. Falling below the minimum thickness of 2mm can lead to breakage of the denture and thus endanger the patient.
Can dentures still be individually modified by adding on and/or removing (modelling) in the software?
There is the possibility of digital modelling using appropriate free-formimg tools (applying and removing, smoothing). However, e.g. an application is only possible as far as the physical form of the BDLoad® allows. However, the bases can be manually supplemented at any time later with pink-coloured cold-curing acrylic in the corresponding shade BDLoad® pink or BDLoad® dark pink using a suitable primer (e.g. artConnect).
Is it possible to change the row of teeth positioned by the software? What is possible?
Yes, adaptations are possible and are the responsibility of the trained dental technician in consultation with the practitioner. The rows of teeth in the block can be offset in all directions and rotated around all axes. Only the BDLoad® XP is an exception, since the anterior teeth can be set up individually while the posterior teeth are already firmly polymerized.
Can the area in the palate be hollowed out or the palatal vibrating line be erased?
Yes, a special software function makes it possible to mark areas on the palate and provide values for the depth of the cavity. Conversely, it is also possible to virtually erase the specially defined area of the palatal vibrating lane without a physical model. The result is reflected as a positive on the basal surface of the denture base.
Is it possible to design the upper denture with a rugae pattern?
Yes, it is possible to have patient-specific rugae patterns reflected from the original scan onto the surface of the denture by clicking a button within the software. This eliminates time for an independent design with the help of free-forming tools.
CAM-Software
Which CAM software can be used?
In principle, all open CAM systems that can process denture base works. The corresponding modules are available from: Hexagon (WorkNC Dental), follow-me (hyperDENT), sum3D (MILL BOX) and Dental Softworks (DS CAM). Alternatively, it is sufficient if only the CAD software BDCreator® PLUS is available and the CAM calculation and the milling service are outsourced to a BDS partner laboratory.
BDLoad®
Do the rows of teeth or individual teeth have to be glued into the milled denture base?
No, the teeth are already polymerized into the BDLoad®. This ensures an optimal bond between the teeth and the base acrylic without additional work steps and materials, which also reduces the time required for completion. The denture is therefore a one-material denture.
With the BDLoad® XP, the bond between the missing anterior teeth and the base is produced in the conventional manner using the matrix technique and a cold-curing acrylic in the corresponding shade.
Why do the BDLoad® have a diameter of 113 mm?
In order to cover as many jaw situations as possible with a sufficiently stable base, the diameter was set at 113mm. In this way, even very large jaws can be treated.
What material is the denture base made of?
Like the acrylic teeth, the denture base material consists of highly cross-linked OMP-N®. The result of the industrial production process of the BDLoad® are highly cross-linked and highly compressed components with a low residual monomer content ˂ 1%.
There is also the option of using the BDLoad® HI. HI stands for High Impact, which means significantly higher values in terms of impact strength are achieved.
What colour is the denture base?
The denture base is available in pink and dark pink. The pink-opaque shade corresponds to the acrylic colour C34.
How much residual monomer does a highly crosslinked BDLoad® contain?
The residual monomer content is below ˂ 1% due to industrial production.
According to which concept are the prefabricated rows of teeth set up?
According to the concept of lingualized occlusion (without A-contacts) in tooth-to-tooth setup. Chewing forces are derived in such a way that the lower denture is optimally loaded on the aveolar ridge. This concept largely compensates for "crossbite situations" since the row of teeth in the lower jaw can be placed in the so-called "neutral corridor".
Why are there different sizes (S, M, L) in narrow, wide and medium (n, m, w)?
Studies have shown that alveolar ridges differ significantly in a U-shaped or V-shaped course. The lists of our rows of teeth in the BDLoad® variants have been created in such a way that the course of the rows of teeth can be applied to the different courses of the alveolar ridge. This ensures that the posterior teeth that have already been set up and polymerized into the BDLoad® can be placed within the static corridor of the model analysis.
Does the technician have to select the “ideal” row of teeth in the software?
The "ideal" row of teeth is suggested by the BDCreator®PLUS software based on the information determined in practice and the model analysis. However, the technician must always carry out a plausibility check and, if necessary, adjust the rows of teeth or their position in consultation with the practitioner. The software supports the user in selecting and aligning the row of teeth. Collisions with the defined corridors from the model analysis are displayed.
Can individual teeth be changed in the set-up?
In the BDLoad®, all teeth are already optimally interlocked ► lingualized occlusion without A-contacts in tooth-to-tooth relationship. An aesthetically pleasing ideal set-up was selected for the anteriors.
With the BDLoad® XP, only the posteriors are firmly polymerized so that the statics of the denture are given on the basis of the model analysis. The anteriors have been omitted and the free space replaced by a reduced wall made from the base material. This allows the anteriors to be set up individually, other tooth lines and anterior moulds can also be used. This additional work step is either carried out analogously in wax for try-in or tooth sockets (pockets) are generated in the BDCreator®PLUS based on the external geometry of the anterior geometry to be used and milled in the milling process. This creates a positioning aid for the prefabricated anterior teeth.
How does the base fit compared to the traditional method of fabricating a full denture?
Since there is no polymerization shrinkage in the laboratory during processing, the base fits much more precisely.
Do you have to reocclude the rows of teeth?
No, the rows of teeth interlock optimally and are already polymerized into the BDLoad®. In addition, the usual polymerization shrinkage, which occurs in the classic production in the laboratory, is eliminated. The system follows a "model-free" concept.
Can I apply acrylic in case of a repair or reline?
Yes, denture bases made from the BDLoad® are made of PMMA and can be added, repaired and relined with cold-curing polymers based on MMA, e.g. B. Weropress® in the color BDLoad® pink at any time. Prior conditioning of the surface with a suitable primer such as artConnect is required.
Milling Machines
Which milling machines can be used?
Basically, all "open" milling machines can be used if you have the appropriate tool paths and a corresponding clamping device for processing the BDLoad® (diameter Ø113, height 35 mm). The rotary axes must enable an adjustment of 30° and enable the driving routes XYZ = 125 mm. A special blank holder is required which can be requested from the machine manufacturer's support. In addition, further changes to the milling machine may be necessary. To do this, please contact your respective machine manufacturer.
Why does my machine need a new blank holder?
Due to the wider denture base, the BDLoad® have a diameter of 113 mm and a rotation protection for correct positioning of the BDLoad® according to its shape. Please contact the respective machine manufacturer to request a blank holder.
Do I need water cooling on my machine?
No, the acrylic used can also be milled dry. Depending on the machine type and stress, it makes sense to use any existing air cooling.
Which tool paths are needed for my machine?
This depends heavily on the construction of the machine. It is recommended: XYZ = 125 mm, the rotary axes should enable an adjustment of 25-30°.
How many axes does my machine need at least?
At least one 3+2 axes or 5-axis processing.
How long does the milling process take?
The duration of the milling process depends on the milling strategy and performance of the machine as well as the milling cutters used. In optimal conditions, milling times of approx. 40 min per BDLoad® are currently possible. The processing time also depends on the desired surface roughness.