Abstract:

Prosthetic dentistry is a dental branch that deals with management of partially edentulous patients (PEP). Partially edentulous arches (PEA) combinations can exceed 100,000 cases. Therefore, teaching PEP management seems to be difficult task for teacher as well as learner. Designing removable partial denture (RPD) is placed at high level in Bloom’s learning pyramid because it is a synthesis of many components like anatomical factors, and Biomechanical concept. Accordingly, the need for extra teaching tool becomes necessary to accomplish the aim efficiently. Teaching may be Socratic style, i.e., lectures, discussions, and pre-clinical hands-on exercises. However, this method has some limitations like the need for long face-to-face training and standardization of RPD designs is difficult with the presence of variable teaching resources. Another method is to use CAD-CAM technology for RPD design and production of frame work. The method offers standardized design within short time. However, more restrictions are present like; high cost, the results are not better than manual plus software updating is difficult. The interactive-online teaching delivers wider training but neglects hand-on training. It standardizes the RPD design, identifies the errors, cost-effective, and permits immediate data gathering to find the weak areas. However, it inherits some weaknesses like the impracticality to update the design concept without the intervention of competent programmer. Finally, the mixed data-base-manual method, it offers immediate interactive learning and training. The design changes are under the control of instructor but, close supervision is necessary in challenging situation, and it is time-consuming.

The purpose of this study is to describe new software for training dental degree students on RPD design. The software package is composed of two utilities:

- PEA generator is used to produce (real and virtual) unlimited PEA combinations and to trace the design of RPD according to data input by the user following Bioprotective rules. It saves, edits, and recalls the RPD designs at any time.
- RPD directory or data-base is designed to recall the saved RPD tracings at any time by the user in addition to printing and communicating the tentative design with other students through intra or internet connection (upon request). The software was generated in the following orders: Decompose and re-draw the RPD components into small parts so that they can be used in the next step to fit any chosen place in the arch. A system identification code (SIC) was created for each dental arch, RPD components, and RPD design. Additional input keys were added to the program to make it ergonomic in re-sizing, displacing, and rotating any component. The user can design RPD by reassembling the decomposed parts according to each case input data.

When the design is finalized, it is saved in data-base program (the second utility) for further use or updating. The saved RPD designs can be recalled when the user enters its identification code. Conclusion, the system is easy to use, permits saving and recalling designs in short time, plus the possibility for intra and internet connections. However, its effectiveness is slightly limited in advanced training due to lack of multidisciplinary management. Therefore, it is currently used for basic dental degree. Updating with new information and interactive comparison are the best features of this program.

Keywords:

RPD design, Software in dentistry, teaching with software, bioprotective concept