To compare the clinical effects of three-dimensional (3D) printed custom impression trays and manually made trays with photocurable materials in complete denture restoration.

Thirty-eight maxillary edentulous patients were randomly divided into two groups: A and B. Group A used 3D printed custom impression trays, and group B used manually made trays with photocurable materials in complete denture restoration. Three months later, the aesthetics, speech, retention, and masticatory functions, and comfort of the complete denture were compared between the two groups.

The individual tray fabrication time in group A [(31.54±2.68) min] was shorter than that in group B [(36.82±3.13) min]. There were no significant differences in aesthetics or speech function between the two groups, but the retention function, mastication function, and comfort of the complete denture in group A were significantly better than those in group B (P＜0.05).

The use of 3D printing technology to produce individual trays not only reduces the time of production and clinical operation, and saves impressions and model materials, but also has good restorative effect. Therefore, it is worthy of clinical promotion in full denture prosthetic treatment.