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Don’t Wait Till 
It’s Tooth Late
 
 

Don’t Wait Till It’s Tooth Late

The bad news: By 65, most of us won't have a full set of teeth. The good news: There's a smart tech brewing...

Tooth loss over time

20
years old
32/32 teeth
0 tooth lost
Age 20Age 80
A Growing Gap in 
S e n i o r   S m i l e s

A Growing Gap in S e n i o r S m i l e s

Singapore's rapidly ageing population has created an urgent demand for dentures. Studies show that seniors over 65 have an average of only 11 teeth remaining. The annual demand for dentures was estimated at 40,000 in 2020 — and is expected to surge as 24% of the population reaches 65 by 2030.

The consequences of tooth loss extend far beyond aesthetics. Seniors who can no longer chew properly tend to eat softer, less nutritious food, exacerbating existing health problems. The loss of teeth can also affect self-esteem, causing many to shy away from socialising — which in turn impacts mental well-being.

"The estimated waiting time we give patients for a full set of dentures is about three or four months. It's a long time, and you can imagine how disappointed they are when they hear this."

Associate Professor Yu Na

Director of Medical Technology, National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS) & Assistant Professor, Duke-NUS Medical School

Whatifwecouldmakeadent indenturesforthebetter?

Meet smartRPD

A Digital Workflow for Making Dentures

Since 2020, NDCS has partnered with A*STAR's Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC) to develop SmartRPD.

This software turns a patient’s dental scan into precise 3D models for dentures, making it easier for dentists to customise the design automatically. Once finalised, these designs can be produced quickly using 3D printing.

Limitless Opportunities in Digital Dentistry

First in the World

First in the World

Associate Professor Yu Na and her team are the first to conduct a randomised clinical trial to test how well it works.

Looking Forward

Looking Forward

To date, 400 sets of dentures have been delivered with SmartRPD. Developments of a new software to improve the entire denture-making process are in the works. Using advanced algorithms, the system analyses dental scans and suggests ways to make the structure more stable. There are also plans to use AI to raise awareness about good oral health. 

"Our goal was to develop a dental software that enhances efficiency of custom RPD that will allow dentists to focus on more important tasks."
Dr Lim Chi Wan
Principal Scientist, IHPC, A*STAR

A SMARTER WAY TO FILL THE NEED

Advantages of SmartRPD

With SmartRPD, the time taken to develop metal-base removable partial dentures — the metal part which forms the "backbone of dentures" — is shortened dramatically.

Advantages of SmartRPD

01

Faster Turnaround

11 hrs → 2 hrs, enabling near same-day framework fabrication.

02

Instant Mapping

Digital scans capture precise anatomy, ensuring accurate denture design from the start.

03

Fewer Errors

Automation reduces human error, improving consistency across every denture produced.

04

Less Refitting

Higher initial accuracy minimises adjustments, remakes, and additional clinic visits.

05

More Comfort

Better fit and precision deliver improved comfort, stability, and long-term wearability.

06

Printed Models

3D-printed impressions speed production, reducing visits and overall treatment time.

SmartRPD gets to the root of the issue by rethinking how dentures are made.

So don’t let it get tooth little, tooth late!