Fully digital workflow for retrofitting a new crown to an existing removable partial denture

Area of Science:

• Digital Dentistry
• Prosthodontics
• CAD/CAM Technology

Background:

• Retrofitting crowns onto existing removable partial dentures (RPDs) traditionally involves laboratory procedures.
• This process can be time-consuming and may require multiple patient visits.
• A streamlined, digital workflow could improve efficiency and patient experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a fully digital technique for retrofitting a new crown to a removable partial denture (RPD).
• To demonstrate a chairside method that eliminates the need for laboratory outsourcing.
• To achieve precise crown adaptation to the RPD's components.

Main Methods:

• Conventional crown preparation followed by intraoral scanning of the preparation, antagonists, and occlusal relationship.
• Intraoral and extraoral scanning of the removable partial denture (RPD).
• Design of the new crown using standard tessellation language (STL) files in design software, with static and dynamic occlusal adaptation against the RPD as the antagonist cast.

Main Results:

• A digital workflow for crown retrofitting to an RPD was successfully implemented.
• The designed crown demonstrated accurate fit to the occlusal rest and reciprocating arm of the RPD.
• The entire process was completed without necessitating the removal of the prosthesis to a dental laboratory.

Conclusions:

• A fully digital, straightforward technique enables chairside retrofitting of crowns to removable partial dentures (RPDs).
• This digital approach enhances workflow efficiency by eliminating laboratory turnaround time.
• The method ensures accurate crown adaptation, maintaining the functional integrity of the RPD.