Case Study
From Extraction to Aesthetics with 3D Printed Immediate Denture & Socket Shields
Efficient chairside solution
Fast-track implant temporisation with 3D printed provisionals
In this real clinical case, the patient received an immediate, natural-looking smile following tooth extraction—thanks to a 3D printed provisional denture and the socket shield technique. This approach delivered more than just aesthetics; it actively supported tissue healing from day one. As digital workflows become more accessible, in-house 3D printing is reshaping implant temporisation—bringing fast, precise, and biologically supportive care right to the chairside.
Compared to traditional vacuum-formed (suck-down) retainers, 3D printed provisionals offer distinct advantages: faster turnaround, superior anatomical accuracy, and most importantly, the ability to replicate the exact morphology of the extracted tooth. In this case, the provisional was more than a placeholder—it played a proactive role in soft tissue preservation and emergence profile shaping during the critical healing phase of implant integration.
Clinical scenario
The patient presented with a non-restorable maxillary canine (tooth 13). The adjacent anterior teeth had previously been restored with CEREC-milled e.max crowns, which provided a consistent and highly aesthetic baseline for morphology and shade matching.
The treatment plan involved:
- Partial extraction (Socket Shield) technique to preserve the buccal root fragment of 13
- Immediate implant placement palatal to the shield
- Immediate temporisation with a 3D printed provisional pontic incorporated into a removable appliance
- Future replacement with a definitive implant-supported crown
Digital workflow
1. Pre-op scan and tooth capture
Prior to extraction, we performed a digital intraoral scan. This scan was critical as it captured the exact shape and emergence profile of tooth 13—information we would use to design the copy pontic in the provisional. Preserving this morphology ensured the provisional would look and feel like the original tooth while also supporting the soft tissue as it healed post-surgery.
2. Implant surgery and immediate temporisation
- Tooth 13 was atraumatically extracted.
- A single endosseous implant was placed in the healed ridge with good primary stability.
- Given soft tissue conditions and implant torque values, immediate loading was deferred.
- Instead, a 3D printed removable provisional denture was delivered chairside.
This provisional was non-functional in occlusion but provided aesthetic continuity and soft tissue support without compromising the healing implant.
3. Design and 3D printing of provisional Design options
We used exocad for the design, which we routinely rely on for its powerful yet intuitive design features. The extracted tooth was duplicated digitally and used as a copy pontic.
However, for clinicians without access to exocad, the same result can be achieved with Medit’s free tools, as follows:
- Medit Splint: Used to create the removable baseplate or appliance structure
- Medit ClinicCAD: To generate a copy-pontic from the pre-extraction scan
- Medit Design: To merge and finalise the components into a printable STL
3D Printing Process
The final design was exported and printed using a resin-based 3D printer with biocompatible denture base and tooth resins. The printed provisional included:
- An anatomically accurate pontic replacing tooth 13
- Precise emergence profile adapted from the pre-op scan
- Stable and comfortable fit, requiring minimal adjustment
This approach produced superior aesthetics and soft tissue guidance, surpassing what we could achieve with a conventional vacuum-formed appliance.
Clinical outcome
Day of surgery:
- Socket Shield prepared and retained on the buccal aspect
- Implant placed immediately palatally to the shield
- 3D printed provisional delivered within hours
- Excellent aesthetic match to adjacent e.max crowns
- Patient left with no visible gap and high satisfaction
10-day review:
- Soft tissue healing was on track
- The pontic helped preserve gingival architecture and supported the papillae
- Shield appeared stable with no signs of mobility or inflammation
- Patient reported comfort and confidence in appearance
Simplifying complex procedures with digital precision
At ADDA, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s achievable chairside using advanced digital dentistry workflows. This single implant case is a powerful example of how 3D printed provisionals, when combined with the Socket Shield technique, are not just an aesthetic placeholder—they are a clinical tool for ridge preservation, tissue conditioning, and prosthetic planning.
With accessible software (e.g., exocad, Medit) and reliable 3D printing systems, general practitioners can implement these workflows without large capital investments, making immediate implant temporisation simpler, faster, and more predictable than ever before.
As digital dentistry and rapid 3D-printing technology becomes more accessible, so does the opportunity. The future of implant dentistry isn’t coming. It’s already printing.