Biomaterial Database

A technique for fabricating patterns for removable partial denture frameworks using digitized casts and electronic surveying. 2004

R J Williams, and Richard Bibb, and Tahseen Rafik

Center for Dental Technology, National Centre for Product Design and Development Research and School of Product and Engineering Design, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, United Kingdom. rjwilliams@uwic.ac.uk

Although computer-aided design and manufacture techniques have shown some promising applications in the fabrication of crowns, inlays, and maxillofacial and oral surgery, the field of removable prosthodontics has not embraced these technologies so far. This article describes the development and investigation of computer-aided techniques that may eventually enable prosthodontic procedures such as surveying and the production of sacrificial patterns to be performed digitally. A 3-dimensional computer model of a conventional cast from a patient was obtained using an optical surface capture device (a scanner). The shape of a number of components of a removable partial denture framework was modeled on the 3-dimensional scan electronically, using computer-aided design software. A physical plastic shape of the components was produced using a Rapid Prototyping machine and used as a sacrificial pattern. Techniques to allow digital cast surveying before the production of sacrificial patterns were also developed. The results show that digital dental surveying and machine-produced sacrificial patterns can be accomplished. This article forms a basis for further developments leading to a fully integrated approach to the computer-aided design and fabrication of removable partial denture frameworks.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010969	Plastics	Polymeric materials (usually organic) of large molecular weight which can be shaped by flow. Plastic usually refers to the final product with fillers, plasticizers, pigments, and stabilizers included (versus the resin, the homogeneous polymeric starting material). (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)	Plastic
D003198	Computer Simulation	Computer-based representation of physical systems and phenomena such as chemical processes.	Computational Modeling,Computational Modelling,Computer Models,In silico Modeling,In silico Models,In silico Simulation,Models, Computer,Computerized Models,Computer Model,Computer Simulations,Computerized Model,In silico Model,Model, Computer,Model, Computerized,Model, In silico,Modeling, Computational,Modeling, In silico,Modelling, Computational,Simulation, Computer,Simulation, In silico,Simulations, Computer
D003722	Dental Alloys	A mixture of metallic elements or compounds with other metallic or metalloid elements in varying proportions for use in restorative or prosthetic dentistry.	Alloy, Dental,Alloys, Dental,Dental Alloy
D003765	Models, Dental	Presentation devices used for patient education and technique training in dentistry.	Dental Models,Dental Model,Model, Dental
D003779	Denture Design	The plan, delineation, and location of actual structural elements of dentures. The design can relate to retainers, stress-breakers, occlusal rests, flanges, framework, lingual or palatal bars, reciprocal arms, etc.	Denture Designs,Design, Denture,Designs, Denture
D003832	Denture, Partial, Removable	A partial denture designed and constructed to be removed readily from the mouth.	Removable Partial Denture,Denture, Removable Partial,Dentures, Removable Partial,Partial Denture, Removable,Partial Dentures, Removable,Removable Partial Dentures
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013499	Surface Properties	Characteristics or attributes of the outer boundaries of objects, including molecules.	Properties, Surface,Property, Surface,Surface Property
D016734	Dental Clasps	Metal devices for fastening together two or more parts of dental prostheses for stabilizing or retaining them by attachment to abutment teeth. For a precision attachment for a partial denture DENTURE PRECISION ATTACHMENT is available.	Denture Clasps,Clasp, Dental,Clasps, Dental,Dental Clasp,Clasp, Denture,Clasps, Denture,Denture Clasp
D017076	Computer-Aided Design	The use of computers for designing and/or manufacturing of anything, including drugs, surgical procedures, orthotics, and prosthetics.	CAD-CAM,Computer-Aided Manufacturing,Computer-Assisted Design,Computer-Assisted Manufacturing,Computer Aided Design,Computer Aided Manufacturing,Computer Assisted Design,Computer Assisted Manufacturing,Computer-Aided Designs,Computer-Assisted Designs,Design, Computer-Aided,Design, Computer-Assisted,Designs, Computer-Aided,Designs, Computer-Assisted,Manufacturing, Computer-Aided,Manufacturing, Computer-Assisted