| REVIEW ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2006 | Volume
: 6
| Issue : 4 | Page : 175-178 |
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Rapid prototyping technology in maxillofacial prosthodontics: Basics and applications
Medha Dilip Joshi (Bhuskute)1, SP Dange2, AN Khalikar2
1 Hitkarini Dental College & Hospital, Hitkarini Hills, Dumna, Jabalpur, MP, India
2 Department of Prosthodontics, GDC and H, Aurangabad, India
Correspondence Address:
Medha Dilip Joshi (Bhuskute)
FF6 Aadi Apartment, 18/32, Wright Town, Jabalpur
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0972-4052.30691
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Curiosity is the Mother of 'INNOVATION'. Advent of rapid prototyping technology has opened up new perspectives for design & production in the field of Prosthodontics.Rapid prototyping refers to the automatic construction of mechanical models with 3D printers or stereolithography machines. When attempting to restore a face with a prosthesis, the prosthesis should ideally be customized to restore the anatomy as closely as possible. This process is difficult & time consuming & demands a high level of artistic skill to form a mirror image & achieve a good esthetic match. Rapid prototyping methodologies use an additive process of building an object in layers defined by a computer model that has been virtually sliced. Limitations to use of rapid prototyping technology include the high cost of the equipment, complicated machinery needed, and reliance on special expertise to run the machinery during production .The expense could be justified in light of the many other applications that could benefit from the rapid prototyping which includes construction of surgical stent, fabrication of burn stents ,without subjecting sensitive burn tissues to impression- taking procedures, manufacturing of lead shields to protect healthy tissue during radiotherapy & production of study models prior to surgery for pre-surgical planning. This article reviews the development & current technology available in rapid prototyping & application of this innovative technology in Prosthodontics. |
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