Trial fitting of a removable partial denture framework made using computer-aided design and rapid prototyping techniques

Abstract

This research formed part of several pieces of research undertaken by the Medical Applications Group (MAG) of PDR. The work investigated the application and design techniques for the needs of the dental technology profession, in particular the design and manufacture of Removable Partial Denture Frameworks (RPDs). This research built on previous research in the area.

This article reported on collaborative research between PDR-MAG and research at the University of Wales, Dental School (now Cardiff University), in the design and application of a RPD.

Previous research into RPDs had progressed through various stages; however, although previously produced RPDs had been tested and accepted as being accurate and having good fit, none of the previous metal RPDs had been fitted to a patient.

This journal article outlined how the culmination of previous research into the computer aided-design and computer-aided manufacture of RPDs resulted in the fabrication of a cast cobalt-chromium framework that was fitted to a patient. The research outcomes indicated that the accuracy, tolerances and overall fitness for purpose as suggested in previous research was achieved in actual clinical cases. This offers significant potential advantages, in that, the process was shown to be clinically acceptable and has the potential to become semi-automated, thus reducing the traditional laborious and time consuming method of producing sacrificial patterns in wax. This paper led to further interest from other researchers and the commercial dental sector.