J Am Dent Assoc. 2020 Feb 17. pii: S0002-8177(19)30908-0. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2019.12.011. [Epub ahead of print]
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Although
computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing has been
successfully used in fabricating removable partial dentures (RPDs),
making altered cast impressions is still a time-consuming and
labor-intensive process for fabricating RPDs with a distal extension. An
alternative digital technique has been developed to simplify this
process.
METHODS:
The authors present a case in which
they sought to improve the efficiency and simplicity in obtaining
altered cast impressions by means of digital technology. Initially, a
primary plaster cast was scanned as a digital cast. Based on the digital
cast, a novel custom tray was designed and fabricated using a
3-dimensional printing method. With the custom tray, the novel altered
cast impression was fabricated and scanned, and the final virtual
altered cast was reconstructed by a stitching method.
RESULTS:
Based
on the virtual altered cast, the authors designed the virtual RPD
framework. Finally, the titanium alloy framework was fabricated using a
3-dimensional printing process, and the authors fit the final RPD to the
patient.
CONCLUSIONS:
This novel digital altered cast
impression technique may eliminate interoperator variability and
increase precision compared with the traditional technique.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS:
This technique showed the potential for reducing clinical appointments, chair time, and laboratory procedures.
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