Computer aided design and computer aided manufacture of sacrificial pattern of removable partial denture framework

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a method applied in computer aided design and computer aided manufacture (CAD-CAM) of removable partial denture framework for rehabilitating edentulous arch of Kennedy Class II and found a basis for this project. METHODS: Point cloud data of dental stone model was obtained by laser scanning. The following processes were made: drawing framework outline on the reconstructed triangle mesh model, picking up and processing its inner side data as the data of tissue surface, shelling it for 3-D model of framework, and transferring the data to rapid prototyping equipment for manufacture. RESULTS: 3-D model of the removable partial denture framework was preliminarily accomplished. The resin framework used as a sacrificial pattern was manufactured with the rapid prototyping equipment. The fit between resin framework and plaster model was good. CONCLUSIONS: This method, as an integrated procedure including data acquisition, 3-D computer modeling and fabrication by rapid prototyping, is feasible to implement CAD-CAM of removable partial denture framework.