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When a patient has an existing partial denture and requires a crown or bridge in an area affected by the partial, digital dentistry offers a seamless solution. At Global Dental Solutions, we can design and fabricate a restoration that fits your patient’s existing partial perfectly, ensuring comfort and functionality. This process, while involving a few additional steps, is straightforward and ensures the highest level of accuracy in the final product.

The Process of Creating a Crown Under an Existing Partial

To create a crown or bridge that fits an existing partial, two additional scans are necessary beyond the standard procedure. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process:

  1. Scan the Prepped Abutment(s): Begin by prepping the abutment(s) as you normally would. Ensure that the tissue around the abutments is retracted to capture a clear and accurate scan. If there are any edentulous pontic units for the fabrication of a bridge, include them in this scan. This initial scan lays the foundation for designing the crown or bridge.
  2. Scan the Partial In-Mouth: With the retraction still in place, seat the partial denture fully in the mouth. It’s crucial to scan the entire quadrant or full arch, depending on the restoration unit(s). This scan must capture all relevant details of the partial, including the buccal and lingual side clasps, occlusal or lingual rests, and the lingual plate or scallop. These elements are essential for ensuring the new restoration fits accurately with the existing partial. When reviewing this scan, make sure that the partial is fully seated and that there are no changes in its position during scanning. This accuracy is vital for the proper fit of the final restoration.
  3. Scan the Partial Outside the Mouth: The final scan is of the partial outside of the mouth. Place the partial on a table and scan both the inside and outside surfaces. This scan must capture all aspects of the partial, including the inside and outside surfaces of the rests, clasps, and connectors, without any distortion. This step is crucial because the in-mouth scan often fails to capture the inside surfaces of the clasps, rests, and guide planes accurately—surfaces that are in direct contact with the crown or bridge. By scanning the partial outside of the mouth, we can ensure that all surfaces are represented accurately, allowing for a precise final restoration.

Why These Additional Scans Are Important

The success of digital dental cases, especially when dealing with a crown under an existing partial, hinges on the precision of the scans. These additional scans provide a comprehensive view of the partial and its interaction with the abutment(s), ensuring that the final restoration fits perfectly.

Benefits of Digital Crown Design for Partials

Digital crown design offers several advantages, particularly when integrating with an existing partial denture:

  • Enhanced Accuracy: The digital process allows for precise measurements, reducing the margin for error and improving the overall fit of the restoration.
  • Improved Comfort: A well-fitting crown or bridge ensures that the patient experiences no discomfort, maintaining the functionality of the partial denture.
  • Streamlined Process: Digital dental cases simplify the workflow, making it easier to manage complex restorations without the need for multiple physical impressions.

FAQ: Crown Under Existing Partial for Digital Cases

Global Dental Solutions is happy to answer your questions about restoration fabrication, removable partial scans, prepped abutment scans, dental restoration accuracy, and more.

You will need to perform two additional scans in addition to the usual scan for the crown or bridge fabrication: one of the prepped abutment(s) with the partial in the mouth and a second scan of both sides of the partial while it is on the surface of a table.


First, scan the prepared abutment(s) while ensuring tissue retraction around the abutments. Then, with the partial fully seated in the mouth, scan the entire quadrant or full arch, capturing all necessary details such as the clasps and rests. Lastly, perform a scan of the partial outside of the mouth to capture the inside and outside surfaces of the partial, ensuring there is no  distortion.


The scan taken in the mouth may not accurately capture the inside surfaces of the clasps and rests, which are critical for the fit of the crown or bridge. The external scan ensures all surfaces are represented accurately, allowing for a better final restoration.


Yes, we can design and fabricate the crown(s) or bridge to fit your existing partial using the scans provided.

Partner With Global Dental Solutions for Precise Dental Restorations

At Global Dental Solutions, we understand the importance of precision in dental restorations, especially when working with existing partial dentures. Our advanced digital processes ensure that your crown or bridge fits perfectly, providing comfort and durability for your patients and minimal to no adjustment chairside. If you’re ready to submit a digital case or have any questions, contact us today to learn how we can assist with your restoration needs.

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  • If you are a patient seeking dental care or advice, we are unable to assist you. We service Dentists and dental laboratories and can not treat patients directly.

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