KNOWLEDGE-BASED DESIGN OF REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES USING DIRECT MANIPULATION AND CRITIQUING

A knowledge-based system for designing removable partial dentures is described in which graphical representations of denture components are manipulated directly by the user to build the required denture design. The arch form of individual patients may be depicted by linear movement and rotation of the icons representing teeth. The size, shape and position of many denture components are determined dynamically to conform to the shape of abutment teeth and to the juxtaposition of other elements. Expert clinical knowledge is used to analyse the developing design and suggest alternate approaches.