Removable Partial Dentures: Use of Rapid Prototyping

Abstract

The CAD/CAM technology associated with rapid prototyping (RP) is already widely used in the fabrication of all-ceramic fixed prostheses and in the biomedical area; however, the use of this technology for the manufacture of metal frames for removable dentures is new. This work reports the results of a literature review conducted on the use of CAD/CAM and RP in the manufacture of removable partial dentures.

Assessing the Accuracy of Casting and Additive Manufacturing Techniques for Fabrication of a Complete Palatal Coverage Metal Framework

“…Furthermore, the CADcast technique takes advantage of low‐cost methods, such as broken arm casting; however, in a 2013 review by Lima et al, one of the conclusions was that laboratories producing RPD frameworks do not commonly implement CAD/CAM and AM technologies in their manufacturing processes. Some of the reasons cited for this were the high costs associated with the AM machinery and the need for well‐trained lab technicians in digital design, as the techniques remain error prone . Notably, in the present investigation, the laboratory that employed the CADcast technique routinely uses this technique for framework fabrication.…”

“…2 CAD is commonly used in fixed prosthodontics and is gaining greater acceptance in removable applications, such as removable partial dental (RPD) prosthesis, complete denture, and overdenture fabrication. 3 As might be expected, AM provides an efficient method for manufacturing complex dental prostheses. Nevertheless, more research in this domain is needed.…”

“…Alharbi et al, in a review of additive manufacturing (AM) in prosthodontics, concluded that AM is promising but noted that understanding the current limitations and materials science behind the technology is critical . CAD is commonly used in fixed prosthodontics and is gaining greater acceptance in removable applications, such as removable partial dental (RPD) prosthesis, complete denture, and overdenture fabrication . As might be expected, AM provides an efficient method for manufacturing complex dental prostheses.…”

Removable partial denture alloys processed by laser‐sintering technique

“…7,8 Different methods were introduced in the last few decades for fabricating RPD frameworks without using casting techniques. 6,9,10 A new additive manufacturing (AM) process based on laser-sintering has been developed for processing 3-D metal objects. The laser-sintering technique combines computer-aided design (CAD) of any products and their subsequent fabrication using a highpower laser that fuses metal powder in a layer-by-layer pattern.…”

“…[10][11][12][13][14][15] Laser-sintering technology can be described using different terminologies, such as selective laser melting (SLM), selective laser-sintering (SLS), or direct metal laser-sintering (DMLS). 6,9,12,13 SLM involves full melting of the metal powder; while, both SLS and DMLS involve partial melting of some the metal powder, particularly melting at the surface of the particle. [12][13][14] The main difference between SLS and DMLS is that SLS powder can be metal or other materials (e.g., ceramic or polymer), and the powder only partially melts during the process, [12][13][14][15][16] whereas DMLS uses a mixture of metal powders with different melting temperatures (high or low).…”