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Enhancing Fixed Partial Denture Pontic Fabrication: An In Vitro Comparative Study of the Digital and Manual
Maaz Vohra1, Amrutha Shenoy1, Suresh Venugopalan2
1Department of Prosthodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND.
Cureus
|August 30, 2024
Summary
Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) offers superior precision and consistency in fabricating fixed partial denture (FPD) pontics compared to manual methods. Digital fabrication results in thinner, more anatomically accurate pontics, enhancing prosthetic outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Dental Prosthetics
- Biomaterials Science
- Digital Dentistry
Background:
- Computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) have advanced fixed partial denture (FPD) fabrication accuracy.
- Digital transfer of mock-up morphology to final FPDs requires further exploration.
- Optimal pontic design is crucial for oral hygiene and preventing gingival irritation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of digital versus manual methods in FPD pontic fabrication.
- To assess the trueness of digitally fabricated FPD patterns.
- To evaluate thickness, vertical gaps, and anatomical accuracy of CAD-CAM versus traditional techniques.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of 45 FPD pontics: 15 digitally (CAD/CAM), 15 manually (wax-up), and 15 control (typodont teeth).
- Measurements included vertical gap (stereo microscope) and thickness (digital caliper).
- Anatomical similarity was assessed by independent evaluators; statistical analysis used ANOVA and t-tests.
Main Results:
- Digital fabrication resulted in significantly lower mean pontic thickness at incisal, middle, and cervical sites compared to manual methods.
- The digital group showed superior accuracy and consistency compared to the control group.
- No significant differences in vertical gap measurements were observed across digital, manual, and control groups.
Conclusions:
- CAD-CAM technology significantly enhances precision and consistency in FPD pontic fabrication over manual techniques.
- Digital methods yield thinner pontics with improved anatomical accuracy.
- Findings support CAD-CAM's benefits for prosthetic outcomes and clinical practice improvements.
