The Next Generation of Digital Denture Training

The digital denture market continues to grow — but many dental professionals still struggle with adoption, largely due to one reason: lack of workflow training. Denturists and dental technicians often have the technology available, but they lack comprehensive education on how to transition from analog processes to fully digital systems.

Pam Ream, a Canadian denturist and digital denture educator working with Argen Canada, has built her career around closing this gap. Pam originally entered dentistry after her own extensive patient experiences with cleft palate treatments. That unique patient perspective shaped her passion for removable prosthetics.

Pam explains that the biggest hurdle isn’t simply learning how to print or mill a denture — it’s teaching clinicians and technicians how to rethink their workflows from the first patient appointment. “Everyone talks about 3D printers and materials, but no one explains how many appointments you actually need, or what clinical steps change when you go digital.”

At Advanced Dental Laboratory in San Diego, we’ve seen this firsthand. Many dentists express interest in offering digital dentures but hesitate because they feel overwhelmed by the workflow shift. That’s why ADL doesn’t just fabricate; we work directly with practices to simplify the record-taking process, optimize impression protocols, and help integrate digital removables into everyday practice.

Pam emphasizes that successful adoption means starting small. She often recommends that clinicians begin by outsourcing manufacturing to the lab while focusing on mastering the clinical records portion first. That way, practices can build confidence before fully investing in hardware.

“You don’t have to spend $150,000 in equipment to get started,” Pam explains. Labs like ADL can provide full manufacturing support while helping dentists refine their workflows, ensuring better long-term outcomes for patients.