Guide to Removable Partial Dentures
Guide to Removable Partial Dentures
Enhanced CPD DO C
Deviprasad Nooji
Guy Lambourn, Himanshi Aggarwal, Kiran Kumar Krishnappa Salian, Ewen McColl and Prashanti Eachempati
A Comprehensive Guide to
Removable Partial Dentures.
Part 2: Impressions, Laboratory
Procedures, Insertion and
Case Studies
Abstract: This two-part series provides a comprehensive guide to fabricating definitive metal partial dentures, addressing the challenges
dental practitioners face in mastering prosthesis design. It aims to equip dental professionals with a thorough understanding of the theoretical
foundations and clinical methods for effective metal partial denture fabrication. Part 2 covers removable partial denture (RPD) design
philosophies, tooth preparation, secondary impressions, laboratory procedures, trial and final insertions, as well as post-insertion complications
and their management. Additionally, four case scenarios are included to help readers apply the knowledge gained from both parts to design a
metal partial denture.
CPD/Clinical Relevance: This series provides essential knowledge and practical techniques for designing and fabricating effective metal
partial dentures.
Dent Update 2024; 51: 534–540
Part 1 of this series explored key elements, design principles, surveying techniques, algorithms for metal partial dentures.
including indications, success factors, workflow for fabrication and decision In this part of the series, various
philosophies of removable partial
denture (RPD) designing, tooth
Deviprasad Nooji, BDS, MDS (Prosthodontics), Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, preparation, secondary impressions,
KVG Dental College and Hospital, Sullia, Karnataka, India. Guy Lambourn, BDS, MFDS laboratory prescriptions, laboratory
RCPS, MClinDent, MRD, FHEA, FDS RCS, FDTFEd Associate Professor, Consultant in
procedures, trial insertion and final
Prosthodontics, Peninsula Dental School, University of Plymouth. Himanshi Aggarwal,
insertion of RPDs are discussed.
BDS, MDS (Prosthodontics), Prosthodontics Resident, Department of Restorative
Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA. Kiran
Kumar Krishnappa Salian, BDS, MDS (Prosthodontics), Prosthodontist, Saligrama Case studies
Dental Care, Karnataka, India. Ewen McColl, BSc (Hons), BDS, FDS RCPS, FCGDent, The authors have presented
MRD RCS Ed, MClinDent, FDS RCS(Rest Dent), FDTFEd, FFD RCSI, FHEA, Head of School, hypothetical case scenarios for readers
Director of Clinical Dentistry, Peninsula Dental School, University of Plymouth. Prashanti to solve, offering an opportunity to
Eachempati, BDS, MDS (Prosthodontics), MSc, MPhil, DICOI, FADI, FICCDE, FAIMER, apply and practise the design concepts
FAoME, Peninsula Dental School, University of Plymouth; Professor, Manipal University learned in the two parts of this article
College Malaysia, Melaka, Malaysia.
series. The four case studies can be
email: [Link]@[Link]
found throughout this article.
Case 1
A 48-year-old patient reported to the clinic Maxillary and mandibular diagnostic
with multiple missing teeth, requesting a impressions were made to obtain
partial denture. The case was evaluated for diagnostic casts.
the suitability for a metal partial denture and
the design needed to be planned. Summary of findings after surveying
Undercut noted on potential abutment teeth
Intra-oral examination UR5: undercut: 0.25 mm at mesio-buccal
Edentulous ridge is low and well rounded; and mid-facial surface;
The mucosa is firm and resilient; UL5: undercut: 0.25 mm at mesio-buccal Figure 7. Arbitrary blockout.
The patient has a low smile line, with the and mid-facial surface.
posterior teeth not visible during speech;
All the teeth present are periodontally
instructions. The prescription must
sound, minimally restored and caries free.
effectively convey the positions of all
components within the removable partial
Maxilla denture.12 To achieve this, the design of
UL6, UL7, UL8, UR6, UR7, UR8 are missing; the removable partial denture should be
Absence of tori. illustrated and explained in detail as part
of the prescription. The design diagram
Mandible can be clarified by employing a color-
All the mandibular teeth are present coded system to distinguish between
except LL8 and LR8. various components or functions of the
RPD. There is no universally accepted
Radiographic evaluation colour coding and different countries
Nothing abnormal detected, with follow different color schemes. However,
Design an appropriate metal partial denture for the colour scheme must be mutually
adequate bone support for all this patient.
abutment teeth; agreed upon by the dentist and technician
to avoid confusion. 11–13
The dentist needs to furnish the dental
laboratory team with:
A detailed prescription delineating the
desired prosthesis;
A meticulously surveyed diagnostic cast
with a specific design;
A precisely articulated master cast that
faithfully reproduces the existing hard
and soft tissue contours.
Figure. 3 Scanning of master casts.
Figure 5. Parallel blockout.
Framework design and
wax patterns
There are two methods of framework
fabrication: analogue and digital.
Analogue method
This method involves a conventional wax
pattern fabrication, investing, casting
Figure 4. Locating the retentive undercuts. Figure 6. Shape blockout. and finishing of the framework.10 Before
commencing with the construction of
the framework, the dental laboratory
technician must transfer the specified
Dentist–laboratory relations encompassing the design and materials design from the diagnostic cast to the
For achieving optimal outcomes it is crucial used in any partial denture fabrication.10 master cast. This includes transferring
for the dentist and dental technician, or A written prescription (work tripod points from diagnostic cast to
clinical dental technician to work cohesively authorization order) should always master cast, surveying for marking
as a team in the construction of removable accompany any clinical information sent the height of contour and locating
partial dentures.10–13 The dentist bears the to the dental laboratory to ensure the suitable areas for retentive components
ultimate responsibility for the prescription final prosthesis conforms to the provided (Figure 4). It is followed by placing
Case 2
A 52-year-old patient reported to the clinic Radiographic evaluation
with multiple missing teeth, requesting a Nothing abnormal detected, with
partial denture. The case was evaluated for adequate bone support for all
the suitability for a metal partial denture abutment teeth.
and design needs to be planned.
Summary of findings after surveying
Intra-oral examination Undercut noted on potential abutment teeth
Edentulous ridge is low and LR7: undercut: 0.25 mm at
well rounded; mesio-lingual surface;
Figure 8. Mould for cast duplication. The mucosa is firm and resilient; LR3: undercut: 0.25 mm at
The patient has a low smile line, mesio-facial surface;
with the posterior teeth not visible LR4: undercut: 0.50 mm at
during speech; mesio-facial surface;
All the teeth present are periodontally LL7: undercut: 0.25 mm at the
sound, minimally restored and disto-facial surface.
caries free.
Maxilla
All teeth present.
Mandible
LR8, LR6, LR5, LR4, LL5 and LL6
are absent;
Figure 9. Pouring of investment material.
LR8 is not to be replaced;
LR7 is mesiolingually tilted;
Design an appropriate cast partial denture for
The minimum lingual sulcus depth this patient.
is 10 mm.
Case 3
A 55-year-old patient reported to the clinic Radiographic evaluation
with multiple missing teeth, requesting a Mandibular anteriors had moderate
partial denture. The case was evaluated for horizontal bone loss.
the suitability for a metal partial denture
and design needs to be planned. Summary of findings after surveying
Undercut noted on potential abutment teeth
Intra-oral examination RL6, RL5, RL7: undercut: 0.2 5mm
Edentulous ridge is high and on mesial and distal surface on the
well rounded; buccal side;
The mucosa is firm and resilient; RL4: undercut: 0.25 mm at mid-facial
Figure 12. Addition of spacer. The patient has a low smile line, surface of the teeth;
with the posterior teeth not visible No soft tissue undercuts were present.
during speech;
Class III buccal frenal attachment is
noted bilaterally in the mandibular arch;
All the teeth present are periodontally
sound, minimally restored and caries
free unless noted.
Mandible
LL5, LL6, LL7 and LL8 are absent;
Grade I mobility with diastemas is
noted between all the anterior teeth;
The minimum lingual sulcus depth
is 10 mm.
Figure 13. Digital wax-up.
Maxilla
Design an appropriate cast partial denture for
All teeth are present except UL8
this patient.
and UR8.
master cast include checking for proper for occlusal interferences are the rests,
seating of rests, contact of reciprocal arms indirect retainers and minor connectors.
and proximal guide plates, intimate contact It is important to remember that the
of major connectors with the cast, adequate majority of cases will be restored in an
distance of major connector from abutment occlusally conformative approach and
teeth for hygiene purposes, ensuring as such the vertical dimension should
uniform taper of clasp arms and proper remain unchanged by the framework and
Figure 14. Digital framework. finishing/polishing of the framework.10,15 the interarch tooth contacts should be
identical with and without the framework
Clinical adjustment in the mouth. Following adjustment, any
Pre-clinical inspection Inadequate seating of a framework may roughened surfaces should be smoothed
The clinician must inspect the framework be due to binding against one or more and brought to a high polish. Knife-edge
to ensure that it follows the planned design of the abutment teeth. Identification of wheels, blue clasp polishers or other
and is accurately adapted to the master these areas can be facilitated by use of carborundum-impregnated points for
cast. If the framework does not fit the indicating media, such as paint on powders chrome cobalt alloys may be used to
master cast accurately, it is highly unlikely (Rouge with chloroform), spray type remove scratches and bring the adjusted
that the framework will seat precisely powders (Occlude), disclosing wax (Kerr), surface to a high shine quickly. For final
intra-orally. Even the best-looking partial silicone impression materials or indicating polishing, tripoli placed on a bristle brush
denture framework may not fit perfectly medium (e.g. Fit Checker).15,16 Following and rouge on a small diameter cloth wheel
in the mouth and therefore must be identification of these areas, adjustment may be used.10
adjusted intra-orally. A metal framework can be made with heatless stones, diamond After adjusting the partial denture
try-in appointment should be carried out burs, Brasseler E-Cutter burs, carborundum framework, it is essential to record the
at the earliest opportunity to minimize the disks and coarse stones. maxillomandibular relationship, and transfer
chance of intra-oral changes such as tooth Only once the framework is seated this on to the articulator for facilitating
migration. Key evaluation criteria when completely can any occlusal interferences setting of replacement denture teeth on the
assessing the fit of the framework on the be evaluated. The most common location framework The teeth try-in is then done to
designs often emerging for a given partially 110–111. between dentists and dental technicians during
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