How computer-aided design helps make removable partial dentures

Abstract

This paper presents a computer-aided design (CAD) system for removable partial denture (RPD) frameworks, addressing the challenges of dentition defects. The system takes a digitized dental model obtained via optical scanning as input and generates an RPD framework model ready for 3D printing. Key technologies include spline curve editing and modeling, mesh offsetting, texture image-based modeling, and component models fusion. The system utilizes conformal mapping between the dental model and a disk. This enables spline curve editing to be executed in the parameterized 2D domain, ensuring both accuracy and efficiency. An iterative approximation method with adaptive mesh simplification is introduced to achieve precise mesh offsetting while avoiding self-intersections. Furthermore, texture mapping enables interactive modeling of holes for denture base connectors and 3D branch-like wax patterns for major connectors. An enhanced Boolean algorithm, combined with smoothing and simplifying techniques for intersecting regions, is utilized to ensure seamless and natural integration of various components. Clinical evaluations demonstrate that the system achieves a performance level comparable to advanced commercial CAD systems, having successfully completed over 30,000 clinical designs with high reliability and meeting all required standards.