Digital festooning protocol for complete dentures

The accurate reproduction of gingival architecture is essential for achieving optimal esthetic and functional outcomes in complete denture therapy. Although digital workflows have improved the efficiency and predictability of complete denture fabrication, characterization of the gingival cameo surface is not inherently achieved. Existing digital festooning approaches may require additional software programs or workflow steps, increasing complexity and reducing reproducibility. This article describes a standardized digital festooning protocol for bimaxillary complete dentures performed within a dental computer-aided design environment. The technique uses a structured mapping strategy to guide the controlled addition and subtraction of material to reproduce cervical convexity, interdental papillae, root eminences, and gingival transitions. Arch-specific modifications are included to reflect anatomic differences while preserving denture border integrity. The proposed workflow enhances reproducibility, efficiency, and esthetic integration, providing a practical method for achieving natural gingival morphology in digitally fabricated complete dentures.