Clinical Applications of Digital Dental Technology in Removable Prosthodontics

Abstract

Computer-based technology has an ever-expanding impact upon dentistry with enhanced data acquisition and fabrication capabilities. Recently, this technology has been applied to removable prosthodontics, and this chapter presents the current status of computer technology for the fabrication of complete dentures and removable partial dentures. The successful use of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) in the fabrication of fixed, implant, and maxillofacial prostheses along with a shortage of qualified dental laboratory technicians encouraged the application of CAD/CAM in the field of removable prosthodontics. Currently, eight commercial manufacturers are available for the fabrication of CAD/CAM dentures. Therefore, it is important to describe the fabrication process along with the available clinical tools that each system offers to produce CAD/CAM complete dentures. Ivoclar Vivadent uses a subtractive manufacturing protocol for the fabrication of definitive complete dentures and is referred to as the “Ivotion digital denture system.”