IADR Abstract Archives
Fully Digital Workflow for Removable Partial Denture Fabrication
Objectives: Over the last decade, the workflow for the fabrication of crowns and fixed partial dentures has dramatically changed by computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM). However, few reports have been published on the use of digital technologies for removable partial denture (RPD) fabrication. This clinical report introduces a newly developed method for RPD fabrication using CAD/CAM and rapid prototyping (RP) technologies.
Methods: A 68-years-old woman, who had a maxillary Kennedy class III conventional RPD, participated to the study (The Ethics Committee of Showa University #2011-032) after giving informed consent. A full-arch digital impression of the maxillary dentition with the alveolar ridge was made by an intraoral scanner (TRIOS2, 3Shape, Denmark). An intraoral scanner was also used for the impression of the opposing dentition and the bite registration. 3D images formatted by stereolithography (STL) were imported to 2 different CAD softwares (Dental System D-810, 3shape, Denmark and Freeform, 3D SYSTEMS, U.S.A.). The designing of the major and minor connectors, clasps, and artificial teeth were worked out by using Dental System D-810, while that of denture base was by Freeform. Connectors, clasps, and artificial teeth were milled from ceria stabilized zirconia and alumina composite (Ce/TZP-A, Yamakin, Japan), polyetheretherketone (PEEK, EVONIK, Germany), and composite resin (VITA ENAMIC, VITA, Switzerland), respectively blanks. Denture bases including mucosal and polished surface were molded by the 3D printer (D30, rapidshape, Germany) using polymethyl methacrylate (Base, NextDent, Netherlands). Finally, all these components were incorporated into the correct position on the working cast molded by 3D printer and bonded with adhesive material (Super-Bond, SUN MEDICAL, Japan).
Results: Using fully digital workflow, the RPD was successfully delivered to the patient and no clinical complications were reported.
Conclusions: Within the limitations of this clinical case report, the reported RPD fabrication techniques have potential to changes clinical and laboratory workflow from analogue to digital.
Methods: A 68-years-old woman, who had a maxillary Kennedy class III conventional RPD, participated to the study (The Ethics Committee of Showa University #2011-032) after giving informed consent. A full-arch digital impression of the maxillary dentition with the alveolar ridge was made by an intraoral scanner (TRIOS2, 3Shape, Denmark). An intraoral scanner was also used for the impression of the opposing dentition and the bite registration. 3D images formatted by stereolithography (STL) were imported to 2 different CAD softwares (Dental System D-810, 3shape, Denmark and Freeform, 3D SYSTEMS, U.S.A.). The designing of the major and minor connectors, clasps, and artificial teeth were worked out by using Dental System D-810, while that of denture base was by Freeform. Connectors, clasps, and artificial teeth were milled from ceria stabilized zirconia and alumina composite (Ce/TZP-A, Yamakin, Japan), polyetheretherketone (PEEK, EVONIK, Germany), and composite resin (VITA ENAMIC, VITA, Switzerland), respectively blanks. Denture bases including mucosal and polished surface were molded by the 3D printer (D30, rapidshape, Germany) using polymethyl methacrylate (Base, NextDent, Netherlands). Finally, all these components were incorporated into the correct position on the working cast molded by 3D printer and bonded with adhesive material (Super-Bond, SUN MEDICAL, Japan).
Results: Using fully digital workflow, the RPD was successfully delivered to the patient and no clinical complications were reported.
Conclusions: Within the limitations of this clinical case report, the reported RPD fabrication techniques have potential to changes clinical and laboratory workflow from analogue to digital.