A review of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacture techniques for removable denture fabrication

Abstract

The aim of this review was to investigate usage of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) such as milling and rapid prototyping (RP) technologies for removable denture fabrication. An electronic search was conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases. Databases were searched from 1987 to 2014. The search was performed using a variety of keywords including CAD/CAM, complete/partial dentures, RP, rapid manufacturing, digitally designed, milled, computerized, and machined. The identified developments (in chronological order), techniques, advantages, and disadvantages of CAD/CAM and RP for removable denture fabrication are summarized. Using a variety of keywords and aiming to find the topic, 78 publications were initially searched. For the main topic, the abstract of these 78 articles were scanned, and 52 publications were selected for reading in detail. Full-text of these articles was gained and searched in detail. Totally, 40 articles that discussed the techniques, advantages, and disadvantages of CAD/CAM and RP for removable denture fabrication and the articles were incorporated in this review. Totally, 16 of the papers summarized in the table. Following review of all relevant publications, it can be concluded that current innovations and technological developments of CAD/CAM and RP allow the digitally planning and manufacturing of removable dentures from start to finish. As a result according to the literature review CAD/CAM techniques and supportive maxillomandibular relationship transfer devices are growing fast. In the close future, fabricating removable dentures will become medical informatics instead of needing a technical staff and procedures. However the methods have several limitations for now.

Comparison of Fit of Dentures Fabricated by Traditional Techniques Versus CAD/CAM Technology

“…The first two companies to commercialize CAD/CAM dentures were Avadent and Dentca, with each taking a different approach to fabrication, milling, and 3D printing. Their processes and applications have been reviewed and described in the literature . The popularity and interest in CAD/CAM complete dentures is increasing.…”

Total CAD/CAM Supported Method for Manufacturing Removable Complete Dentures

“…Another reported system uses a wax occlusion rim for record bases and an anatomic measurement device to complete the OVD record, including centric relation [2]. This technique claimed to decrease the number of clinical appointments but faces the disadvantage of lacking a trial denture, which is considered an important step validating denture goals by patients and dentists before final denture fabrication [1]. The PDC dentures are produced by machining a preformed cylinder of PMMA.…”

“…Some systems are available for the fabrication of removable dentures, including milling and rapid prototyping, but still some limitations and disadvantages can be found, such as manufacturing challenges caused by making impression, establishing occlusal vertical dimension (OVD), maxillomandibular relation (MMR) transfer, inability to define the mandibular occlusal plane, expensive materials, and increased laboratory costs compared with those for conventional methods [1]. Also, some systems do not provide a trial denture, which is considered an important step in validating comfort, function aesthetics, and patient acceptance before the final fabrication is issued to the patient.…”

Properties of Co-Cr Dental Alloys Fabricated Using Additive Technologies

“…According to it, the following 3D printing technologies are used in work with biomaterials: 3D ploting/direct ink writing, laser-assisted bioprinting, selective laser sintering, stereolithography, fused deposition modeling, and robot-assisted deposition/robocasting. The stereolithography (SLA), fused deposition modeling (FDM), selective electron beam melting (SEBM), selective laser sintering (SLS), selective laser melting (SLM), and ink-jet printing (IJP) are among the AT, mostly used in the dental medicine [8,9,[12][13][14][15].…”

“…According to it, the following 3D printing technologies are used in work with biomaterials: 3D ploting/direct ink writing, laser-assisted bioprinting, selective laser sintering, stereolithography, fused deposition modeling, and robot-assisted deposition/robocasting. The stereolithography (SLA), fused deposition modeling (FDM), selective electron beam melting (SEBM), selective laser sintering (SLS), selective laser melting (SLM), and ink-jet printing (IJP) are among the AT, mostly used in the dental medicine [8,9,[12][13][14][15].During the SLA process, a concentrated beam of UV light is focused on the surface of a tank illed with liquid photopolymer. As the light beam draws the object on the surface of the liquid, each time a layer of resin is polymerized or cross-linked until the real object is obtained [8,9,12,14,16].…”