Digital planning and surveying for a rotational path removable partial denture: a case report

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Prosthodontics
• Digital Technology in Dentistry

Background:

• Digital technologies are increasingly used in removable partial denture (RPD) fabrication, streamlining treatment processes.
• A gap exists in the literature regarding digital planning and surveying specifically for rotational path RPDs.

Observation:

• This case report demonstrates a digital diagnostic wax-up and survey for a rotational path RPD using prosthetic design software.
• A virtual diagnostic closure tool facilitated visualization of edentulous spaces and simulation of necessary tooth preparations.

Findings:

• The virtual survey identified the optimal dual-axis path for RPD insertion and removal, considering guiding planes, retentive undercuts, interferences, and esthetics.
• Digital planning and surveying proved effective for esthetic and biomechanical analysis in this rotational path RPD case.

Implications:

• Digital workflows offer an effective method for planning rotational path RPDs, potentially reducing clinical and laboratory steps.
• This approach enables precise analysis and minimal preparation of abutment teeth, improving treatment outcomes and patient experience.