[Exploration of making distal extension removable partial denture by digital technology]

Area of Science:

• Digital dentistry
• Prosthodontics
• Biomaterials engineering

Context:

• Traditional fabrication of distal extension removable partial dentures presents challenges, particularly with free-end situations.
• Digital technologies offer potential solutions for improving accuracy and efficiency in denture fabrication.

Purpose:

• To explore and validate a digital manufacturing process for distal extension removable partial dentures.
• To assess the accuracy and clinical applicability of the proposed digital workflow.

Summary:

• A novel digital workflow was developed using intraoral scanning and 3D modeling for fabricating removable partial dentures.
• The process involves creating a modified digital model, designing artificial teeth and base plates, and manufacturing via digital milling.
• Assembly includes precise positioning, bonding with injection resin, and finishing, with measured errors between 0.4-1.0 mm and 0.03-0.10 mm.

Impact:

• The digital fabrication process demonstrates high accuracy and successfully addresses challenges in creating modified models and assembling denture components.
• Clinical follow-up showed minimal adjustments needed, indicating good patient comfort and the clinical viability of the digital method.