Comparing Minor Connector Castability of Printed Cast Partial Dentures to Conventional Cast Partial Dentures: An In-vitro Study

Introduction: Partial denture prostheses are used to restore missing teeth and oral function, with minor connectors playing a crucial role in the denture framework. Traditionally, Cast Partial Dentures (CPD) are made using wax patterns and metal casting; however, this process can sometimes result in...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Meghna Budati, Suresh Venugopalan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2025-02-01
Series:Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20590/75991_CE[Ra1]_QC(AnK)_F(IS)_PF1(VD_SS)_redo_PFA_NC(IS)_PN(IS).pdf
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1823858361472385024
author Meghna Budati
Suresh Venugopalan
author_facet Meghna Budati
Suresh Venugopalan
author_sort Meghna Budati
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Partial denture prostheses are used to restore missing teeth and oral function, with minor connectors playing a crucial role in the denture framework. Traditionally, Cast Partial Dentures (CPD) are made using wax patterns and metal casting; however, this process can sometimes result in issues such as porosity or distortion. Advances in digital dentistry have introduced 3D printing, which offers a new method for creating denture frameworks with greater precision. However, the impact of 3D printing on the castability of minor connectors compared to conventional methods remains underexplored. Aim: To compare the minor connector castability of manually CPDs to Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) printed partial dentures. Key objectives include assessing the minor connector castability between the two groups, manual and DMLS, before and after wax-up and casting. Materials and Methods: This in-vitro study was conducted in the Department of Prosthodontics at Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India from July 2023 to December 2023. A total of 10 samples were included and divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of five samples of manually CPDs, while group 2 included five samples of DMLS printed partial dentures. A standardised casting procedure was followed for both the manually cast and DMLS printed partial dentures to evaluate their minor connector castability. The two groups were compared for wax-up and casting. To assess castability, the number of lattice framework holes in each connector was counted after wax-up and fabrication. Statistical analysis was performed using a statistical software program Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test, a non parametric test, was used, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: Comparisons between the groups revealed a statistically significant difference in the medians of manual wax-up (p=0.25) and casting compared to DMLS (p=0.317) design and printing. The DMLS group demonstrated superior accuracy compared to manual casting. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that the Removable Partial Denture (RPD) frameworks designed and produced by DMLS exhibit better castability compared to manual wax-up and casting.
format Article
id doaj-art-b57efae4234a4f479d1880f092572ccd
institution Kabale University
issn 2249-782X
0973-709X
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
record_format Article
series Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
spelling doaj-art-b57efae4234a4f479d1880f092572ccd2025-02-11T12:24:07ZengJCDR Research and Publications Private LimitedJournal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research2249-782X0973-709X2025-02-011902060910.7860/JCDR/2025/75991.20590Comparing Minor Connector Castability of Printed Cast Partial Dentures to Conventional Cast Partial Dentures: An In-vitro StudyMeghna Budati0Suresh Venugopalan1Postgraduate Student, Department of Prosthodontics and Implantology, Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.Professor, Department of Prosthodontics and Implantology, Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.Introduction: Partial denture prostheses are used to restore missing teeth and oral function, with minor connectors playing a crucial role in the denture framework. Traditionally, Cast Partial Dentures (CPD) are made using wax patterns and metal casting; however, this process can sometimes result in issues such as porosity or distortion. Advances in digital dentistry have introduced 3D printing, which offers a new method for creating denture frameworks with greater precision. However, the impact of 3D printing on the castability of minor connectors compared to conventional methods remains underexplored. Aim: To compare the minor connector castability of manually CPDs to Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) printed partial dentures. Key objectives include assessing the minor connector castability between the two groups, manual and DMLS, before and after wax-up and casting. Materials and Methods: This in-vitro study was conducted in the Department of Prosthodontics at Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India from July 2023 to December 2023. A total of 10 samples were included and divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of five samples of manually CPDs, while group 2 included five samples of DMLS printed partial dentures. A standardised casting procedure was followed for both the manually cast and DMLS printed partial dentures to evaluate their minor connector castability. The two groups were compared for wax-up and casting. To assess castability, the number of lattice framework holes in each connector was counted after wax-up and fabrication. Statistical analysis was performed using a statistical software program Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test, a non parametric test, was used, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: Comparisons between the groups revealed a statistically significant difference in the medians of manual wax-up (p=0.25) and casting compared to DMLS (p=0.317) design and printing. The DMLS group demonstrated superior accuracy compared to manual casting. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that the Removable Partial Denture (RPD) frameworks designed and produced by DMLS exhibit better castability compared to manual wax-up and casting.https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20590/75991_CE[Ra1]_QC(AnK)_F(IS)_PF1(VD_SS)_redo_PFA_NC(IS)_PN(IS).pdfcomputer-aided designdental casting techniquedirect metal laser sinteringsintering
spellingShingle Meghna Budati
Suresh Venugopalan
Comparing Minor Connector Castability of Printed Cast Partial Dentures to Conventional Cast Partial Dentures: An In-vitro Study
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
computer-aided design
dental casting technique
direct metal laser sintering
sintering
title Comparing Minor Connector Castability of Printed Cast Partial Dentures to Conventional Cast Partial Dentures: An In-vitro Study
title_full Comparing Minor Connector Castability of Printed Cast Partial Dentures to Conventional Cast Partial Dentures: An In-vitro Study
title_fullStr Comparing Minor Connector Castability of Printed Cast Partial Dentures to Conventional Cast Partial Dentures: An In-vitro Study
title_full_unstemmed Comparing Minor Connector Castability of Printed Cast Partial Dentures to Conventional Cast Partial Dentures: An In-vitro Study
title_short Comparing Minor Connector Castability of Printed Cast Partial Dentures to Conventional Cast Partial Dentures: An In-vitro Study
title_sort comparing minor connector castability of printed cast partial dentures to conventional cast partial dentures an in vitro study
topic computer-aided design
dental casting technique
direct metal laser sintering
sintering
url https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20590/75991_CE[Ra1]_QC(AnK)_F(IS)_PF1(VD_SS)_redo_PFA_NC(IS)_PN(IS).pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT meghnabudati comparingminorconnectorcastabilityofprintedcastpartialdenturestoconventionalcastpartialdenturesaninvitrostudy
AT sureshvenugopalan comparingminorconnectorcastabilityofprintedcastpartialdenturestoconventionalcastpartialdenturesaninvitrostudy