Trial fitting of a removable partial denture framework made using computer-aided design and rapid prototyping...

Area of Science:

• Dental prosthetics
• Biomaterials engineering
• Digital dentistry

Background:

• Previous research documented CAD/CAM-produced sacrificial patterns for removable partial denture (RPD) frameworks.
• No prior studies reported on the clinical trial fitting of such RPD frameworks to patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first patient trial fitting of a removable partial denture framework.
• To evaluate the clinical acceptability of an RPD framework utilizing a CAD/CAM and rapid prototyping (RP) produced sacrificial pattern.

Main Methods:

• A patient's dental cast was scanned, and computer-aided design (CAD) was used for surveying and pattern design.
• A sacrificial pattern was fabricated using rapid prototyping (RP) technology.
• Conventional investment casting and finishing techniques were applied to create the RPD framework.

Main Results:

• The RPD framework, featuring a CAD/CAM and RP-generated sacrificial pattern, was successfully trial-fitted to the patient.
• Clinical judgment deemed the framework acceptable for subsequent denture fabrication stages.

Conclusions:

• The CAD/CAM and RP-based fabrication of sacrificial patterns is a viable method for producing removable partial denture frameworks.
• This technology demonstrates clinical potential for advancing RPD fabrication processes.