Denture Base

1. Print Analysis

Denture bases rest directly on the user’s soft tissue, so it is important that you use an adequate layer of adhesive underneath the denture for the patient’s comfort. The surface quality of the bottom does not need to be perfect because adhesive is added in that place, so you can use the bottom of the model as a support for the rest of the print.

A. Critical Areas – Do Not Add Supports

• It is not necessary to add supports to the top of the denture base, any of the gingival areas, or the gum surface.

B. Intended Support Area

• You must add supports to the entire bottom of the denture base when printing in Vertical orientation.

2. Orientation

A. Put the model in a position so that the front of the model is on the platform and the back of the model is raised.

• Select the model and open the Orientation panel. Use the indicators on the model to turn it to your desired angle.
• Angle the model so that it is not necessary to put any supports out of the teeth fitting surfaces.

B. Raise the model off the platform.

• You can automatically raise the model when you add the supports. Open the Supports panel, and set the support
  height parameter.
• Support Height: 1.5 – 2.0 mm

3. Supports

When adding supports to the model, we recommend the following procedure:

1. Open the Supports panel, apply the settings as shown below, and click the Auto Support button to add supports.
2. Click the Manual Support button and remove any supports that are too close together.
3. Add supports to any areas that have too few supports.
4. Change the support settings to be the same as the Base Support settings shown below.
5. Remove all supports along the lowest points of the print.
6. Add more manual supports (with the Base Support settings) to the lowest points of the print to make sure that area is securely attached to the build platform.

Base Supports

• Point Size: 0.5 – 0.9 mm
• Elbow Size: 0.8 – 1.3 mm
• Bottom Size: 1.1 – 1.6 mm
• Support Density: 86%
• Support Height: 1.5 – 2.0 mm

Fill Supports

• Point Size: 0.8 – 1.3 mm
• Elbow Size: 1.1- 1.6 mm
• Bottom Size: 1.4 – 2.0 mm
• Support Density: 80%
• Support Height: 1.5 – 2.0 mm

4. Base

We strongly recommend adding a base to your model because it allows the print to securely attach to the build platform. A base also makes the print easier to remove during processing. The base settings are on the Supports panel.

• If you use select General on the Type dropdown list, Alpha 3D automatically adds a small base to every support. These small bases are sufficient for most prints.
• You can also key in a value for the Base Thickness setting to add a base around the entire print. This makes it easier to remove the print from the build platform.

5. Printing

When all of the models that you want to print are in place, click the Printing Setup button to open the Printing Setup window.
Make sure the settings are as follows:

• Your printer is selected on the Printer Model dropdown list.
• QuraBASE is selected on the Material dropdown list.
• The Layer Thickness is set. We recommend a layer thickness of 100 micrometres.

Click the Print button to open the Print window and save your model as a print file. The top of the window shows your Printing Setup settings.

• Key in a Job Name
• Click the Save button to save the name and settings.

Alpha 3D slices the model into layers and creates the print file. When the process is complete, it shows the IBF file in a window. You can now send this IBF file to your printer and start the printing process.

6. Finishing

When the printing process is complete, you must clean, dry, and remove the print supports.

• Cleaning Alcohol: Ethyl alcohol (95%) or isopropyl alcohol (99%)
• Ultrasonic Cleaner or Soak Time: 2 minutes
• Suggested UV Oven: Ackuretta UV Oven
• Suggested UV Oven Time: 2 minutes on the bottom side; turn the print over; 2 minutes on the top side.