Data Acquisition and Designing

Digital technology, as well as the rapid development of computer-aided manufacturing methods and novel materials, has given rise to alternatives to traditional methods of casting removable partial denture (RPD) frameworks. New technologies are being evolved to address the shortcomings and errors of casting. The further advantages of incorporating digital technologies into the fabrication of the RPD framework are the automated decision of a preferred placement path, the quick elimination of undesired undercuts, and the equally rapid recognition of favorable undercuts. In addition, intraoral scanners (IOSs) can minimize patient discomfort associated with conventional impression making, allergies to impression materials, and inaccuracies associated with impression distortion. Digital technologies not only save time, but they also let you make as many trials or combinations of designs as you want without harming the cast or fabricating the final product. By implementing this method, the potential for human error can be reduced and quality control can be improved within the dental laboratory. This chapter describes the data acquisition and design of digital RPDs.