CAD/CAM technology for fabrication of reduction guide for RPD parallel guiding planes preparation: A dental technique

Introduction: The preparation of parallel axial wall guide planes in abutment teeth is essential for providing a correct path of insertion and removal axis for removable partial dentures (RPDs). With the introduction of digital resources, new alternatives to the conventional method can be used to manufacture guide preparation for guide planes. Aims: To describe the use of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology for the manufacture of guide planes to guide the reduction of the axial walls of abutment teeth according to the insertion and removal axis of the RPD. Methods: This technique used the “bite splint” module of the Dental Wings software for the virtual planning of guide planes, to promote the construction of axial walls parallel to the abutment teeth. This was performed from the virtual design on a standard tessellation language (STL) file obtained by intraoral scanning, which determined the best trajectory for insertion and removal of the metallic structure. Conclusion: Digital technology allows the design and production of guide planes for the preparation of abutment teeth, simplifying the conventionally used technique, with precision and speed.