Design and manufacture removable polymeric prostheses
Overview
This standard focuses on the design and manufacture of partial and complete removable prostheses - polymeric dentures using manual or digital techniques. These are dental devices which are custom-made to fit the individual's unique mouth shape and which replace either a partial or complete set of upper and/or lower teeth. The prosthesis may incorporate a range of factors including, but not limited to:
* a method of retention
* aesthetics including the creation of an overdenture
* the degree of occlusion including the use of onlays, deep overbite
* the requirement for minor obturation
The removable prostheses may be new, replacement, immediate or duplicate and may contain resilient liners. You need to design and manufacture a trial prosthesis, modify these where necessary following a try-in and then manufacture, and finish final removable prosthesis.
The term 'client' is used to mean the member of the oral health care team who has prescribed the custom-made prosthesis. Clients may be external to the organisation (such as other laboratories, dental practitioners, training schools) or internal (within a dental hospital). The individual is the one for whom the custom-made prosthesis is being made.
The design and manufacturing process of dental prosthesis may be carried out in a regulated dental laboratory within a variety of settings.
Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information, policies and regulations.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- communicate with relevant others at a pace, manner and level appropriate to their understanding, preferences and needs
- collate and confirm accuracy of all specification information required for prostheses design and manufacture with relevant others
- interpret and analyse information captured of both soft and hard tissues in oral environment using both analogue and digital techniques
- select components, materials, and equipment, ensuring their suitability .
- set up and operate the manufacturing equipment in accordance with the specification
- manufacture removable prostheses using suitable manual or digital techniques adjusting manufacturing processes as necessary.
- devest or retrieve the manufactured product using an appropriate method which releases the item without causing damage
- ensure that the manufactured product matches the specification and make any necessary adjustments
- clean and finish the restoration, prepare and package it safely for dispatch together with instructions for the individual and client
- dispose of waste in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, and workplace procedures
- complete and store all documentation in accordance with relevant legislation, guidelines, and workplace procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- how to communicate with relevant others at a pace, manner and level appropriate to their understanding, preferences and needs
- the importance of applying standard infection control precautions and the potential consequences of poor practice
- the role of removable prostheses in the restoration and maintenance of:
• tissue support
• aesthetics
• phonetics
• function of occlusion and the temporomandibular joint - the principles, uses, methods, techniques and equipment involved in digital design and manufacturing.
- how to select the necessary components, materials and equipment and confirm that they are fit for purpose
- skeletal anatomy, tooth morphology, orofacial musculature and temporomandibular joint function and movement
- the classification, aetiology, including oral cavity disorders and diseases and the physiological effects of malocclusions.
- the physiological and pathological changes associated with ageing process and trauma related to the oral environment
- the importance of retention of the periodontal ligament and the changes in proprioception due to loss of periodontal ligament
- the emotional response by the individual to tooth loss
- the importance of restoring and maintaining the occlusal vertical dimension
- the benefits and restrictions of immediate tooth replacement in the provision of removable prostheses
- the benefits and restrictions of retaining root structures in the provision of removable prostheses
- the use and need for transitional removable prostheses
- the modern concepts for the use of resilient liners and tissue conditioners
- the design limitations of large anterior undercuts and pre-existing dental conditions
- the use of digital representations or a dental surveyor and identifying useable and non useable undercuts in the design of the dentures
- the principles and practice of:
• retention and stability
• aesthetics and phonetics
• articulation - the principles of removable prosthesis design
- the classification and sub-classification of materials on the basis of chemical composition and internal structure
- the mechanical, physical, thermal, chemical and biological properties of materials
- the purpose of different products used for cast and mould manufacture or digital representation
- the purpose of different materials used in the manufacture of removable prostheses
- legal and physical implications of modifying manufacturer products and ensuring quality assurance .
- how to clean and finish the restoration, prepare and package it safely for dispatch together with instructions for the individual and client
- different methods of waste disposal and how to apply these
- the importance of updating documentation and storing individuals records safely and securely